Splintering Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ชต
splintering
[หsplษชntษrษชล ]
Definitions
breaking apart
To splinter means to break or cause to break into small, thin pieces or splinters. It often refers to the process of breaking material, such as wood or glass, but can also describe the fragmentation of groups or ideas.
Synonyms
break, divide, fracture, shatter.
Examples of usage
- The stick splintered when I stepped on it.
- Her opinion began to splinter from the group's consensus.
- The glass splintered into sharp shards after hitting the floor.
fragmented piece
A splinter is a small, sharp piece of wood, glass, or other material that has broken away from a larger object. It can also refer metaphorically to a minor faction or conflict within a larger group.
Synonyms
chip, fragment, shard, sliver.
Examples of usage
- I got a splinter from the old wooden bench.
- The political party faced a splinter after the controversial decision.
- She carefully removed the splinter from her finger.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- Materials like wood and bone tend to splinter due to their fibrous structure, causing sharp edges to form.
- Splintering can be a safety hazard during incidents like woodworking where tools can cause splinters in the wood.
- In geology, certain types of rocks exhibit splintering when they undergo weathering and stress, impacting their shape.
Psychology
- In psychology, 'splintering' can describe how a person's experience may fragment into separate memories or emotions after trauma.
- Some therapeutic approaches focus on integrating these splintered aspects of self to promote healing.
- This term is metaphorically similar to how relationships may 'splinter' after conflicts, leading to emotional divisions.
Literature
- In literary contexts, splintering often symbolizes the breakdown of society or relationships within a narrative.
- Authors may use the metaphor of splintering to convey themes of chaos or disintegration in character arcs.
- Famous works sometimes depict characters who 'splinter' in their identities, reflecting internal struggles.
Pop Culture
- The term has been used in films and songs to describe the disintegration of a bond or a community.
- Television shows often showcase splintering in family dynamics, highlighting the emotional fallout of events.
- In video games, 'splintering' can refer to the breaking apart of teams or factions within game narratives, altering alliances.
Origin of 'splintering'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from 'splinter', which traces back to Middle Dutch 'splinter', meaning a small piece or fragment.
- The term has been used since the late 14th century, originally referring to wood pieces that break off.
- It reflects on the physical action of breaking, which connects to various languages sharing similar roots.
The term 'splinter' originated from the Middle English word 'splinter' or 'splintere', which derived from the Old High German 'splintero', meaning 'to split'. The word has evolved in usage over time to encompass both its literal meaning, referring to a small piece that has broken off, and a metaphorical sense denoting divisions within groups or ideas. As wood and similar materials were common in daily life, the imagery of material breaking apart easily transferred to describe conflicts and divisions, allowing the word to adapt across various contexts. Its use has been prevalent in both literary and colloquial expressions, depicting physical and ideological fragmentation alike.