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splinter

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Splinter is defined as to break into smaller parts, or split into thin sharp pieces.

(verb)

An example of splinter is for wood to split off in thin pieces from a board.

The definition of a splinter is a sharp thin piece that's been split or broken off of something, or a group that has broken off from another group.

(noun)

An example of a splinter is a tiny piece of wood that gets caught under your skin after walking barefoot on an old wooden deck.
An example of a splinter is group of radicals who break off from a group of largely conservatives.

Splinter means a group that splits off from a main group.

(adjective)

An example of a splinter group would be a group of people who break off from a church denomination because of the denomination's position on gay marriage.

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See splinter in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to break or split into thin, sharp pieces
to break into small parts or into groups with divergent views; fragment

Origin: ME < MDu, akin to splinte, splint

noun

a thin, sharp piece of wood, bone, etc., made by splitting or breaking; sliver
a splinter group

adjective

designating a group that separates from a main party, church, etc. because of divergent views

See splinter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A sharp, slender piece, as of wood, bone, glass, or metal, split or broken off from a main body.
A splinter group.

verb splin·tered, splin·ter·ing, splin·ters

verb, intransitive

To split or break into sharp, slender pieces; form splinters. See Synonyms at break.

verb, transitive

To cause to splinter.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Middle Dutch

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Related Forms:

splinˈter·y adjective

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