ETYM Akin to Dutch splinter,German splinter, splitter, Dan. splint, Swed. splint a kind of spike, a forelock (in nautical use), Swed. splintato splint, splinter, Dan. splinte, and Eng. split. Related to Split, Splent.
1. A thin sliver of wood.
2. An orthopedic device used to immobilize and protect a part of the body (as a broken leg).