SPLINT

splint

(noun) an orthopedic mechanical device used to immobilize and protect a part of the body (as a broken leg)

splint

(noun) a thin sliver of wood; “he lit the fire with a burning splint”

splint

(verb) support with a splint; “splint a broken finger”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

splint (plural splints)

A narrow strip of wood split or peeled from a larger piece.

(dentistry) A dental device applied consequent to undergoing orthodontia.

(medicine) A device to immobilize a body part.

(military, historical) A segment of armour consisting of a narrow overlapping plate.

(mining) synonym of splent coal

(zootomy) A bone found on either side of a horse's cannon bone; the second or fourth metacarpal (forelimb) or metatarsal (hindlimb) bone.

(zootomy, veterinary medicine) A disease affecting the splint bones, as a callosity or hard excrescence.

Usage notes

• For a horse to pop a splint is for it to receive an injury to the splint bone or surrounding area.

Verb

splint (third-person singular simple present splints, present participle splinting, simple past and past participle splinted)

(transitive) To apply a splint to; to fasten with splints.

To support one's abdomen with hands or a pillow before attempting to cough.

(obsolete, rare, transitive) To split into thin, slender pieces; to splinter.

Source: Wiktionary

Splint, n. Etym: [Akin to D. splinter,G. splinter, splitter, Dan. splint, Sw. splint a kind of spike, a forelock (in nautical use), Sw. splintato splint, splinter, Dan. splinte, and E. split. See Split, v. t., and cf. Splent.]

1. A piece split off; a splinter.

2. (Surg.)

Definition: A thin piece of wood, or other substance, used to keep in place, or protect, an injured part, especially a broken bone when set.

3. (Anat.)

Definition: A splint bone.

4. (Far.)

Definition: A disease affecting the splint bones, as a callosity or hard excrescence.

5. (Anc. Armor.)

Definition: One of the small plates of metal used in making splint armor. See Splint armor, below. The knees and feet were defended by splints, or thin plates of steel. Sir. W. Scott.

6. Splint, or splent, coal. See Splent coal, under Splent. Splint armor,a kind of ancient armor formed of thin plates of metal, usually overlapping each other and allowing the limbs to move freely.

– Splint bone (Anat.), one of the rudimentary, splintlike metacarpal or metatarsal bones on either side of the cannon bone in the limbs of the horse and allied animals.

– Splint coal. See Splent coal, under Splent.

Splint, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Splinted; p. pr. & vb. n. Splinting.]

Definition: To split into splints, or thin, slender pieces; to splinter; to shiver. [Obs. or R.] Florio.

2. To fasten or confine with splints, as a broken limb. See Splint, n., 2. [R.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition