First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1splinter
noun splin·ter \ˈsplin-tər\
: a thin, sharp piece of something (such as wood, glass, etc.) that has broken off a larger piece
Full Definition of SPLINTER
2
: a group or faction broken away from a parent body
— splinter adjective
— splin·tery \ˈsplin-tə-rē, -trē\ adjective
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Origin of SPLINTER
Middle English, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle Low German splinte splint
2splinter
verb
: to break (something) into small pieces or splinters
: to divide or split a group of people into smaller groups
splin·teredsplin·ter·ing \ˈsplin-tə-riŋ, -triŋ\
Full Definition of SPLINTER
transitive verb
2
: to split into fragments, parts, or factions
intransitive verb
: to become splintered
See splinter defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPLINTER
1582
SPLINTER Defined for Kids
1splinter
noun splin·ter \ˈsplin-tər\
Definition of SPLINTER for Kids
: a thin piece split or torn off lengthwise : sliver
2splinter
verb
splin·teredsplin·ter·ing
Definition of SPLINTER for Kids
: to break into slivers <Peter and Judy covered their ears as sounds of splintering wood and breaking china filled the house. — Chris Van Allsburg, Jumanji>
Medical Dictionary
splinter
noun splin·ter \ˈsplint-ər\
Medical Definition of SPLINTER
: a thin piece (as of wood) split or broken off lengthwise; especially : such a piece embedded in the skin <used tweezers to remove a splinter>
—splinter transitive verb, splin·tered splin·ter·ing \ˈsplint-ə-riŋ, ˈsplin-triŋ\
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