Shattering

shattering
    adj 1: seemingly loud enough to break something; violently
           rattling or clattering; "shattering rain striking the
           windowpanes"; "the shattering tones of the enormous
           carillon"; "the shattering peal of artillery"
    n 1: the act of breaking something into small pieces [syn:
         {smashing}, {shattering}]
    

Shatter \Shat"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Shattered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Shattering}.] [OE. schateren, scateren, to scatter,
   to dash, AS. scateran; cf. D. schateren to crack, to make a
   great noise, OD. schetteren to scatter, to burst, to crack.
   Cf. {Scatter}.]
   1. To break at once into many pieces; to dash, burst, or part
      violently into fragments; to rend into splinters; as, an
      explosion shatters a rock or a bomb; too much steam
      shatters a boiler; an oak is shattered by lightning.
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            A monarchy was shattered to pieces, and divided
            amongst revolted subjects.            --Locke.
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   2. To disorder; to derange; to render unsound; as, to be
      shattered in intellect; his constitution was shattered;
      his hopes were shattered.
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            A man of a loose, volatile, and shattered humor.
                                                  --Norris.
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   3. To scatter about. [Obs.]
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            Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.
                                                  --Milton.
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