shattering

2 definitions found

shattering - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Shatter \Shat"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shattered; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Shattering.] [OE. schateren, scateren, to scatter,
     to dash, AS. scateran; cf. D. schateren to crack, to make a
     great noise, OD. schetteren to scatter, to burst, to crack.
     Cf. Scatter.]
     1. To break at once into many pieces; to dash, burst, or part
        violently into fragments; to rend into splinters; as, an
        explosion shatters a rock or a bomb; too much steam
        shatters a boiler; an oak is shattered by lightning.
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              A monarchy was shattered to pieces, and divided
              amongst revolted subjects.            --Locke.
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     2. To disorder; to derange; to render unsound; as, to be
        shattered in intellect; his constitution was shattered;
        his hopes were shattered.
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              A man of a loose, volatile, and shattered humor.
                                                    --Norris.
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     3. To scatter about. [Obs.]
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              Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.
                                                    --Milton.
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shattering - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  shattering
      adj 1: seemingly loud enough to break something; violently
             rattling or clattering; "shattering rain striking the
             windowpanes"; "the shattering tones of the enormous
             carillon"; "the shattering peal of artillery"
      n 1: the act of breaking something into small pieces [syn:
           smashing, shattering]