Splinter

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈsplɪntÉ™(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /ˈsplɪntÉš/, ˈsplɪɾ̃ɚ
• Southern US IPA: /ˈsplɪnÉš/
• Rhymes: -ɪntÉ™(r)

Origin

{1} + -er

Full definition of splinter

Noun

1. A long, sharp fragment of material, often wood.
2. A group that formed by splitting off from a larger membership.

Synonyms

• (long sharp fragment) shard, spelk.
• (group formed by splitting) faction, splinter group.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To come apart into long sharp fragments.The tall tree splintered during the storm.
2. (transitive) To cause to break apart into long sharp fragments.His third kick splintered the door.
• PrescottAfter splintering their lances, they wheeled about, and ... abandoned the field to the enemy.
3. (figuratively, of a group) To break, or cause to break, into factions.The government splintered when the coalition members could not agree.The unpopular new policies splintered the company.
4. (transitive) To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a broken limb.

Related terms

• splint
• splinter up