sɪˈsiːd ˈslɪv.əː ˈslɪ.vɚ ˈslɪv.əː ˈslɪ.vɚ break up into splinters or slivers The wood splintered divide into slivers or splinters withdraw from an organization or communion After the break up of the Soviet Union, many republics broke away a small thin sharp bit of wood or glass or metal he got a splinter in his finger it broke into slivers