Splinter

/ˈsplɪn.tər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A small, thin piece or fragment that has broken off from a larger object, typically made of wood.

He stepped on a splinter that had come off the wooden deck.

A small, sharp piece that has broken away, often causing injury.

After the storm, there were many splinters of wood scattered across the yard.

A group or faction that has broken away from a larger organization or movement.

The political party suffered a splinter group that disagreed with its core policies.

verb

To break or split into thin, sharp fragments.

The old chair began to splinter after years of use.

To divide into smaller factions or groups.

The organization started to splinter when its members disagreed on the new policy.

Middle English splinter, from Old Dutch splinter, of uncertain origin.

splinter group:

A division formed from a larger group, often due to disagreement.

splintered wood:

Wood that has been broken into sharp, thin pieces.

splinter off:

To break away from a larger organization or entity.

To splinter off principle

He decided to splinter off principle after the unjust decision.

Splintered attention

His splintered attention made it hard to focus on any one task.