Splin·ter v. t. [imp. & p. p. Splintered p. pr. & vb. n. Splintering.]
1. To split or rend into long, thin pieces; to shiver; as, the lightning splinters a tree.
After splintering their lances, they wheeled about, and . . . abandoned the field to the enemy. --Prescott.
2. To fasten or confine with splinters, or splints, as a broken limb.
splintering
n : the act of chipping something [syn: chip, chipping]