splintering

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

splintering
    n 1: the act of chipping something [syn: {chip}, {chipping},
         {splintering}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Splinter \Splin"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Splintered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Splintering}.] [Cf. LG. splittern, splinteren. See
   {Splint}, n., {Split}.]
   1. To split or rend into long, thin pieces; to shiver; as,
      the lightning splinters a tree.
      [1913 Webster]

            After splintering their lances, they wheeled about,
            and . . . abandoned the field to the enemy.
                                                  --Prescott.
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   2. To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a
      broken limb. --Bp. Wren.
      [1913 Webster]