v. & n.
v.tr. & intr. break into fragments.
n. a small thin sharp-edged piece broken off from wood, stone, etc. splinter-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. splintery adj.
[ ME f. MDu. (= LG) splinter, splenter, rel. to SPLINT ]