n. & v.
n. 1 a scrap, fragment, or strip of esp. cloth, paper, etc. 2 the least amount, remnant (not a shred of evidence).
v.tr. (shredded, shredding) tear or cut into shreds. tear to shreds completely refute (an argument etc.).
[ OE scread (unrecorded) piece cut off, screadian f. WG: see SHROUD ]