sliver

[ sliv-er ]

/ ˈslɪv ər /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR sliver ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a small, slender, often sharp piece, as of wood or glass, split, broken, or cut off, usually lengthwise or with the grain; splinter.

any small, narrow piece or portion: A sliver of sky was visible.

a strand of loose, untwisted fibers produced in carding.

verb (used with object)

to split or cut off (a sliver) or to split or cut into slivers: to sliver a log into kindling.

to form (textile fibers) into slivers.

verb (used without object)

to split.

Words nearby sliver

slit-drum, slither, slithery, slitlamp, sliven, sliver, sliver building, slivovitz, slma, slo, slo-mo

Origin of sliver

1325–75; Middle English slivere (noun), derivative of sliven to split, Old English -slīfan (in tōslīfan to split up

OTHER WORDS FROM sliver

sliv·er·like, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for sliver

And if he can stabilize this sliver of the country, it could prevent another devastating war.
A Belgian Prince, Gorillas, Guerrillas & the Future of the Congo|Nina Strochlic|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Despite name ID and fluent Spanish (there was a sizable Hispanic population in the area), he lost by a sliver.
George Takei Sets Phasers to Reform|Tim Mak|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her opinion of Nirvana, and the tiny boy, changed entirely when she bought the “Sliver” single in October 1990.
The Moment Kurt Cobain Met Courtney Love|Charles R. Cross|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The sliver of swing votes in the South is small,” said Arceneaux.
Democrats March on the South to Hold Senate Majority in 2014|David Freedlander|October 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The East Jerusalem flap constitutes only one sliver of the mixed messages from the Israeli government.
Mixed Messages From Israel on Peace Process|Ali Gharib|June 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I held the sliver of wood, until the flame scorched my fingers, staring about in bewilderment.
Gordon Craig|Randall Parrish
He is thirteen years old, and before he came into the Scouts we called him "Sliver" because he's so skinny.
Pluck on the Long Trail|Edwin L. Sabin
On a chair near by lay a rough knife with the blade open and a sliver of wood yet sticking to the point.
The Lieutenant-Governor|Guy Wetmore Carryl
“Hank, I got a sliver in my hand a minute ago,” the blindman said in a half-whine intended to arouse sympathy.
Dan Carter and the River Camp|Mildred A. Wirt
The sliver from each can is then placed into the corresponding sliver guide, and thus the full width of the machine is occupied.
The Jute Industry: From Seed to Finished Cloth|T. Woodhouse and P. Kilgour

British Dictionary definitions for sliver

sliver

/ (ˈslɪvə) /

noun

a thin piece that is cut or broken off lengthwise; splinter

a loose strand or fibre obtained by carding

verb

to divide or be divided into splinters; split

(tr) to form (wool, etc) into slivers

Derived forms of sliver

sliver-like, adjective

Word Origin for sliver

C14: from sliven to split

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sliver

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Words related to sliver

Words nearby sliver

Origin of sliver

OTHER WORDS FROM sliver

Examples from the Web for sliver

British Dictionary definitions for sliver

noun

verb

Derived forms of sliver

Word Origin for sliver