Etymology Map
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Splinter

2 stages from Middle Dutch to English.

Today it means a small, sharp fragment of wood or glass

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

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

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.