SPLINT, SPLINTER, n. [G.] 1. A piece of wood split off; a thin piece (in proportion to its thickness,) of wood or other solid substance, rent from the main body; as splinters of a ships side or mast, rent off by a shot.2. In surgery, a thin piece of wood or other substance, used to hold or confine a broken bone when set.3. A piece of bone rent off in a fracture.SPLINT, SPLINTER, v.t. 1. To split or rend into long thin pieces; to shiver; as, the lightning splinters a tree.2. To confine with splinters, as a broken limb.
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