Shatter
/ˈʃæt.ər/noun
To break suddenly and violently into pieces.
Did you know?In ancient texts, shattering was often associated with the breaking of spells or the destruction of illusions, revealing harsh truths.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skhad-
“to break, split, or cut”
Old English
Old English
sceadu
“shadow, shade, or darkness, implying a sense of division or separation”
Middle English
Middle English
shatteren
“to break into pieces, often used in a metaphorical sense of emotional distress”
Modern English
English
shatter
“to violently break apart or cause to break into fragments, both physically and emotionally.”