Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPLINDER, n., v. Also splinner, splender, splunder. [splɪn(d)ər]

I. n. 1. A splinter, fragment (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 178, splinner; Sh., Ork. 1971), the sing. being occas. used as a coll. pl.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry 93:
In splendirs flew the stane about.Nai. 1828 W. Gordon Poems 28:
For o'er they dang a whisky pig, And brake it a' to splinders.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 133:
He dang hid's bothom clean i' splender.

2. Comb. splinder-new, brand new, absolutely new (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 210, 1914 Angus Gl.; Sh., Wgt. (splinner-) 1971). Cf. spleet-new s.v. Spleet.Fif. 1812 W. Ranken Poems 56:
But what is't zeal cannot perform, When splinder new, an' piping warm.Sh. 1836 Gentleman's Mag. II. 590:
A prettie splunder niu joktalegg oot o' da shopp o' Bunis.Per. 1881 R. Ford Readings 69:
They resortit to their splinder-new hame.Lnk. 1895 W. Stewart Lilts 123:
In the days sae distant noo, when the yirth was splinder new.

II. v. 1. tr. To break into fragments, break (something) to bits.Kcd. 1797 Aberdeen Mag. 559:
Let them ha'e guns o' siccan pow'r, As e'en mith blaw Strathfen'la owre, An' splinder Clochnabane.

2. With pass. or refl. force, to break up, split apart (n.Sc. 1825 Jam.).Abd. 1738 W. Meston Mob contra Mob 27:
Thrawn Trees do always splinder Best with a Wedge of their own Timber.