definition of
splinter

[1] #1 splinter n. [sliver] a small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal; "he got a splinter in his finger"; "it broke into slivers". wn

[2] #2 splinter v. [secede, break away] withdraw from an organization or communion; "After the break up of the Soviet Union, many republics broke away". wn

[3] #3 splinter v. [sliver] divide into slivers or splinters. wn

[4] #4 splinter v. [sliver] break up into splinters or slivers; "The wood splintered". wn