splinter

Where does the word "splinter" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch splinter, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Splinter’s story begins in Middle Dutch: splinter meant “a thin sliver.” Related to 'splint' and 'split'. It reached English by 1300s as splinter. 'splinter group' for a breakaway faction dates from the 1930s. Today, splinter means a small, sharp fragment of wood or glass.

1. Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval splinter "a thin sliver", related to 'splint' and 'split'.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s splinter "a sharp fragment", 'splinter group' for a breakaway faction dates from the 1930s.