splin·ter 
(splĭntər)
(splĭntər)n.
1. A sharp, slender piece, as of wood, bone, glass, or metal, split or broken off from a main body.
2. A splinter group.
v. splin·tered, splin·ter·ing, splin·ters
v.intr.
To split or break into sharp, slender pieces; form splinters.
v.tr.
To cause to splinter. See Synonyms at break.
[Middle English, from Middle Dutch.]
splinter·y adj.