rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryshiverBroken fragment
noun

shiver

A small broken piece, especially of glass or wood.

A tiny shiver of glass glints on the kitchen floor.

Etymology
schivereMiddle Englisha splinter or fragment

From the older splinter-word, distinct from shiver meaning to tremble. The breaking sense preserves that material meaning.

More examples

  • She pulls a shiver of wood from her palm.
  • The broken bottle leaves shivers of glass along the curb.
  • The plate fell onto the tile and broke into shivers.

Forms

shiver · shivers

Similar words

splinter
Usually a thin, sharp fragment, especially of wood.
shard
Usually a sharp fragment of glass, pottery, or stone.
chip
A small piece broken off, often thicker than a splinter.