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Sliver: meaning, definitions and examples

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sliver

 

[ˈslɪvər ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

metal

A small, thin, narrow piece of something, especially metal.

Synonyms

chip, shard, splinter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sliver

This word is often used to describe a small, thin piece of something, usually broken or cut off from a larger piece. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.

  • She carefully picked up a sliver of glass from the floor.
  • He only gave me a sliver of his attention during the meeting.
splinter

Splinter is used for a small, thin, sharp piece of material that has broken off from a larger piece, often wood or metal, which can cause injury.

  • He got a splinter in his finger while handling the old wooden fence.
  • The metal railing splintered into tiny pieces.
shard

Shard usually describes a sharp, broken piece of a hard material, such as glass or pottery. It often implies danger or sharpness due to its pointed edges.

  • She found a shard of broken glass on the sidewalk.
  • Careful, there are shards of pottery on the floor!
chip

A chip typically refers to a small, flat piece broken off from a larger object or a small fragment, often seen in contexts like electronics, pottery, or food.

  • He ate a chip of the chocolate bar.
  • There was a chip in the paint on the wall.

Examples of usage

  • A sliver of silver
  • She got a sliver of wood stuck in her finger.
Context #2 | Verb

cut

To cut or split into small, thin, narrow pieces.

Synonyms

chop, cut, slice.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sliver

Use this word when referring to a very thin, narrow piece of something, often accidentally or naturally broken from a larger piece.

  • I got a sliver of glass stuck in my finger
  • She gave me a sliver of the cake to taste
slice

Chain this word to describe cutting something into thin, uniform pieces, often when referring to food items like bread, meat, or vegetables.

  • I need to slice the bread before making sandwiches
  • She carefully sliced the tomatoes for the salad
cut

This word is versatile and can be used in many situations where something is divided into pieces with a sharp tool. It can be general or specific, and its context depends on the subject being cut.

  • She cut the paper with scissors
  • He cut his finger while preparing dinner
chop

This word is suitable when referring to cutting something into pieces, usually with a strong, downward motion, often used with food preparation or woodcutting.

  • I need to chop some onions for the soup
  • He chopped the wood into smaller pieces for the fire

Examples of usage

  • She slivered the carrots for the salad.
  • He slivered the wood with a sharp knife.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'sliver' comes from the Middle English 'slyvere', which means to split or tear off.
  • It is related to the Old Norse word 'slífa', meaning to cut or slice.
  • The transition of the term into modern English began in the 14th century, reflecting practices of cutting materials.

Science

  • In materials science, a 'sliver' can refer to a small fragment of a material that may serve as a defect or impurity.
  • In botany, slivers may refer to thin slices of plant tissue used in grafting to propagate plants.
  • The appearance of slivers in rocks, known as slivers in geology, indicates tectonic movements.

Literature

  • In literature, the phrase 'a sliver of hope' is often used to indicate a small amount of optimism in dire situations.
  • Authors sometimes use the imagery of slivers to evoke feelings of fragility and precision in descriptions.
  • The term is often found in poetry to explore themes of loss or the remnants of something larger.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and TV shows, characters might dramatically cut slivers of cake to symbolize sharing moments or relationships.
  • The concept of slivers appears in various video games, often representing a fragile resource that players must manage carefully.
  • Lyrics in popular music sometimes use the term to denote small but significant moments in relationships.

Psychology

  • The idea of a sliver can symbolize the fragmentation of thoughts or memories in psychological discussions.
  • In cognitive therapy, addressing 'slivers' of negative thought patterns can help individuals build healthier mental states.
  • The sliver metaphor often illustrates how small, seemingly insignificant events can have a large impact on our overall experiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "sliver" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lascas

🇮🇳 छोटा टुकड़ा

🇩🇪 Splitter

🇮🇩 serpihan

🇺🇦 скалка

🇵🇱 drzazga

🇯🇵 破片 (はへん)

🇫🇷 écharde

🇪🇸 astilla

🇹🇷 kıymık

🇰🇷 조각

🇸🇦 شظية

🇨🇿 tříska

🇸🇰 trieska

🇨🇳 碎片 (suìpiàn)

🇸🇮 drobec

🇮🇸 flís

🇰🇿 жоңқа

🇬🇪 ნაფლეთი

🇦🇿 qırıntı

🇲🇽 astilla

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,640, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.