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.