Shat"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Shattering.] [OE. schateren, scateren, to scatter, to dash, AS. scateran; cf. D. schateren to crack, to make a great noise, OD. schetteren to scatter, to burst, to crack. Cf. Scatter.]

1.

To break at once into many pieces; to dash, burst, or part violently into fragments; to rend into splinters; as, an explosion shatters a rock or a bomb; too much steam shatters a boiler; an oak is shattered by lightning.

A monarchy was shattered to pieces, and divided amongst revolted subjects. Locke.

2.

To disorder; to derange; to render unsound; as, to be shattered in intellect; his constitution was shattered; his hopes were shattered.

A man of a loose, volatile, and shattered humor. Norris.

3.

To scatter about.

[Obs.]

Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.


Shat"ter, v. i.

To be broken into fragments; to fal or crumble to pieces by any force applied.

Some fragile bodies break but where the force is; some shatter and fly in many places. Bacon.

 

© Webster 1913.


Shat"ter, n.

A fragment of anything shattered; -- used chiefly or soley in the phrase into shatters; as, to break a glass into shatters.

Swift.

 

© Webster 1913.

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