I. ˈsplint noun
or splent ˈsplent
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English splint, splent, from Middle Low German splinte, splente; akin to Middle Dutch splinte splint, Norwegian splint wooden nail, wedge, Old High German spaltan to split — more at spill
1. : a small plate or strip of metal — see splint armor
2.
a.
(1) dialect Britain : lath
(2) : a thin strip of wood interwoven with others in caning
(3) : a piece split off : splinter
(4) : a rigid or flexible material (as wood, metal, plaster, fabric, or adhesive tape) used to protect, immobilize, or restrict motion in a part
an adhesive splint on the chest
a plaster splint for a fractured leg
a nasal splint after rhinoplasty
b. : sapwood
3.
a. : an exostosis on the upper part of the cannon bone of a horse usually on the inside of the leg — compare pegged splint
b. : splint bone
4. : splint coal
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1.
a. : to immobilize (as a broken bone) with a splint
b. : to support or brace with or as if with a splint
2. : to protect against pain by reducing motion
the patient splinted his chest by a fixed position and shallow breathing