splint Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a thin sliver of wood
    • he lit the fire with a burning splint
  2. noun an orthopedic mechanical device used to immobilize and protect a part of the body (as a broken leg)
  3. verb support with a splint
    • splint a broken finger

WordNet

Splint noun
Etymology
Akin to D. splinter,G. splinter, splitter, Dan. splint, Sw. splint a kind of spike, a forelock (in nautical use), Sw. splintato splint, splinter, Dan. splinte, and E. split. See Split, v. t., and cf. Splent.
Definitions
  1. A piece split off; a splinter.
  2. (Surg.) A thin piece of wood, or other substance, used to keep in place, or protect, an injured part, especially a broken bone when set.
  3. (Anat.) A splint bone.
  4. (Far.) A disease affecting the splint bones, as a callosity or hard excrescence.
  5. (Anc. Armor.) One of the small plates of metal used in making splint armor. See Splint armor, below.
    The knees and feet were defended by splints, or thin plates of steel. Sir. W. Scott.
  6. Splint, or splent, coal. See Splent coal, under Splent.
Splint transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Splinted; present participle & verbal noun Splinting
Definitions
  1. To split into splints, or thin, slender pieces; to splinter; to shiver. Obs. or R. Florio.
  2. To fasten or confine with splints, as a broken limb. See Splint, n., 2. R. Shak.

Webster 1913