n.
Pronunciation: ' splin-t ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle Low German splinte splint
Date: 14th century
1 a : a thin piece split or broken off lengthwise : SLIVER b : a small needlelike particle
2 : a group or faction broken away from a parent body
– splinter adjective
– splin · tery \ ' splin-t ə -r ē , -tr ē \ adjective