Splintery Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Safety and Health

• Splintery surfaces are often a concern for safety, especially in playgrounds or wooden furniture where children play.
• Getting a splinter can be painful and may lead to infection if not removed properly.
• The best way to avoid splinters is to sand wooden surfaces smoothly before using them.

Literature

• In classic literature, splintering can symbolize broken relationships or loss, reflecting how something once whole becomes painful.
• Authors often use splintery imagery to evoke a sense of danger or discomfort, enhancing the emotional tone of their writing.
• In poetry, the word can illustrate fragility, showing how minor things can cause major issues.

Nature

• Trees that are not properly maintained may become splintery, creating hazards in parks or during storms.
• Woodpeckers often peck at splintery trees, creating hollow spaces that can be homes for various animals.
• Certain species of wood, like oak or pine, are more susceptible to becoming splintery after they weather and decay.

Art

• In woodworking, understanding how to deal with splintery edges is essential for creating beautiful pieces without danger.
• Artists sometimes deliberately create splintery textures in their work to evoke feelings of discomfort or raw beauty.
• Sculptors may use splintery wood forms to convey the passage of time or human experiences through their materials.

Main points about word origin

• The term 'splinter' comes from the Old Dutch word 'splinter,' which means 'a thin piece of wood.'
• Historically, the word was used to describe any sharp fragments that could break off from larger objects, not just wood.
• The suffix '-y' indicates that something has the quality of or is full of the noun it modifies.

The term 'splintery' is derived from the noun 'splinter', which traces its origins back to the Middle English 'splinter', and earlier from the Old Norse 'spjald', meaning a thin piece or fragment. The word has been used in the English language since the 14th century to refer to thin, sharp fragments that result from the breaking or fracturing of larger objects, especially wood. Over time, the adjective form 'splintery' emerged to describe the quality of being splintered or having the characteristics of splinters. The evolution highlights the function of language in describing physical characteristics and experiences.

Ranking #35,674, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

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• 35671 floury
• 35672 regally
• 35673 staleness
• 35674 splintery
• 35675 expatiating
• 35676 masticating
• 35677 jocularity
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