ENGLISH
REFERENCE

splinter

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈspɫɪntɝ// UK //splˈɪntɐ// splin·ter

n. a small, sharp piece of wood, glass, or metal that breaks off a larger object. It can get stuck under your skin and feel painful.

n. a small, thin, sharp fragment of a material such as wood, glass, or metal, typically detached from a larger mass by force.


SIMPLE

I got a splinter in my finger while fixing the wooden fence.

CONTEXTUAL

The old wooden floor was so worn that walking barefoot often resulted in a painful splinter.

COMPLEX

The impact of the projectile caused the timber to shatter, sending splinters flying across the room and posing a significant hazard to anyone nearby.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

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

Etymology 2

From the noun splinter.

Usage

Often used with the verb 'get' or 'remove'.

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