What is the meaning of splinter?

noun

• A small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal.
  • usage: "he got a splinter in his finger"; "it broke into slivers"
  • synonyms: sliver

verb

• Withdraw from an organization or communion.
  • usage: "After the break up of the Soviet Union, many republics broke away"
  • synonyms: secede, break away
• Divide into slivers or splinters.
  • synonyms: sliver
• Break up into splinters or slivers.
  • usage: "The wood splintered"
  • synonyms: sliver