splint

American  

[splint] / splɪnt /

noun

1. a thin piece of wood or other rigid material used to immobilize a fractured or dislocated bone, or to maintain any part of the body in a fixed position.

2. one of a number of thin strips of wood woven together to make a chair seat, basket, etc.

3. Veterinary Medicine. an exostosis or bony enlargement of a splint bone of a horse or a related animal.

4. Armor.

   1. any of a number of narrow plates or lames joined with rivets or a backing to form a piece of armor.

   2. a partial vambrace protecting only the outer part of the arm.

5. British Dialect. a splinter of wood or stone.

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verb (used with object)

1. to secure, hold in position, or support by means of a splint or splints, as a fractured bone.

2. to support as if with splints.

splint British  

/ splɪnt /

noun

1. a rigid support for restricting movement of an injured part, esp a broken bone

2. a thin sliver of wood, esp one that is used to light cigars, a fire, etc

3. a thin strip of wood woven with others to form a chair seat, basket, etc

4. vet science inflammation of the small metatarsal or metacarpal bones along the side of the cannon bone of a horse

5. one of the overlapping metal plates used in armour after about 1330

6. another word for splinter

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verb

1. to apply a splint to (a broken arm, etc)

Other Word Forms

• splintlike
  adjective
• unsplinted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of splint

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle Dutch or Middle Low German splinte; cf. splinter

Explanation

A splint is something that's used to keep a person's arm or leg straight and immobile while a broken bone is healing. If you break your wrist, you may need to wear a splint for a while. Some splints are temporary, meant to keep an injured person's bones from moving until they can be examined by a doctor. EMTs and other emergency workers often use splints while transporting someone to a hospital. You can also use this word as a verb: "Let's splint your dog's leg and get her to the vet." A strip of wood can also be called a splint.

Example Sentences

Splint boots are placed on him at night and removed in the morning.

From Time Magazine Archive

Splint baskets of years ago would have stood any amount of strain.

From Marjorie Dean College Junior by Lester, Pauline

Dupuytren's Splint applied to Correct Eversion of Foot 190 97.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

In his anxiety he resolved to sally forth under the guidance of Tommy Splint to inquire for the missing Susy at the well-known establishment of Stickle and Screw.

From The Garret and the Garden by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

Gooch Splints for Fracture of Shaft of Humerus; and Rectangular Splint to secure Elbow 77 33.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

Related Words

• brace