I. ˈsplid.ə(r), -itə- noun or verb
Etymology: Low German splittere, from Middle Low German; akin to Middle Low German splīten to split — more at split
: splinter
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: split (I) + -er
1. : one that splits:
a. : a person (as a workman) who splits something: as
(1) : a textile worker who splits warps according to the pattern for each beam
(2) : an operator of a hide-splitting machine
(3) : one that uses a resaw or a ripsaw
(4) : one that splits plant shoots into strips for use in basketry
(5) : a slaughterhouse worker who by sawing and cleaving lengthwise splits the backbone and neckbone of a cattle or hog carcass
b. : a device or an implement used in splitting something: as
(1) : a tool used in splitting the edge of a plate in caulking before finally closing up the part so split
(2) : a machine for splitting a hide or skin into two or more thicknesses
(3) : a small narrow chisel used by stonemasons (as in carving, lettering)
(4) : a butcher's implement for splitting a carcass
(5) : any of various devices (as a riffle, a split shovel) for dividing a stream (as of water, ore, earth) into two or more parts
2.
a. : one that makes overnice distinctions : hairsplitter ; also : one that diffuses his efforts among many interests and accomplishes little : incompetent
b. : a taxonomist that regards every identifiable variant of living matter as a significant nameable natural unit — compare lumper
III. noun
: split-fingered fastball herein