Splinter

Noun

 * 1) A long, sharp fragment of material; often wood.
 * 2) A group that formed by splitting off from a larger membership.

Synonyms

 * shard, spelk.
 * faction, splinter group.

Verb

 * 1)  To come apart into long sharp fragments.
 * The tall tree splintered during the storm.
 * 1)  To cause to break apart into long sharp fragments.
 * His third kick splintered the door.
 * 1)  To break, or cause to break, into factions.

Related terms

 * splint
 * splinter up