ˈsplɪntə v. & n. --v.tr. & intr. break
into fragments. --n. a
small thin sharp-edged
piece broken off from wood,
stone, etc. øsplinter-bar
Brit. a
crossbar in a
vehicle to
which traces are attached; a
swingletree. splinter
group (or party) a group or party
that has broken
away from a larger
one. splinter-proof
proof against splinters e.g. from bursting shells or bombs. øøsplintery adj. [ME f. MDu. (= LG) splinter, splenter, rel. to SPLINT]