Hypertext Webster Gateway: "shattering"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
A monarchy was shattered to pieces, and divided
amongst revolted subjects. --Locke.
2. To disorder; to derange; to render unsound; as, to be
shattered in intellect; his constitution was shattered;
his hopes were shattered.
A man of a loose, volatile, and shattered humor.
--Norris.
3. To scatter about. [Obs.]
Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.
--Milton.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
shattering
adj : 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 : the act of breaking something into small pieces [syn: {smashing}]
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