I. ˈsha-tər verb
Etymology: Middle English schateren — more at scatter
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to cause to drop or be dispersed
2.
a. : to break at once into pieces
b. : to damage badly : ruin
3. : to cause the disruption or annihilation of : demolish
intransitive verb
1. : to break apart : disintegrate
2. : to drop off parts (as leaves, petals, or fruit)
• shat·ter·ing·ly -tə-riŋ-lē adverb
II. noun
Date: circa 1640
1. : fragment , shred — usually used in plural
the broken vase lay in shatter s
2. : an act of shattering : the state of being shattered
3. : a result of shattering : shower