splinter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A small, thin, sharp piece of wood, glass, or metal.

   She got a splinter in her finger from the old wooden bench.

2. 2
   verb

   To break into thin, sharp pieces.

   The old door splintered when he kicked it.

3. 3
   verb

   To break a group apart into smaller, opposing factions.

   The party splintered after its leaders disagreed.

From Middle English splenter, splinter, from Middle Dutch splinter, equivalent to splint + -er.

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