Forms: α. 5–7 splent, 6 splente. β. 7– splint. [f. the sb. Cf. Sw. splinta to split or splinter.]
† 1. trans. To cover, furnish or construct with splints or thin strips of wood, etc. Obs.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 3264. A-bowte cho whirllide a whele with hir whitte hondez…. The spekes … was splentide alle with speltis of siluer.
1523. Fitzherb., Husb., § 122. Whan the swarme is knytte, take a hyue, and splente it within with thre or foure splentes.
1613. Markham, Eng. Husbandman, I. II. xv. 110. Then you shall make a studde wall, which shall be splinted.
1632–3. in Willis & Clark, Cambridge (1886), II. 697. The Particions and studyes, to be splented and Clayed betweene the Studds.
1639. Horn & Robotham, Gate Lang. Unl., xlviii. § 527. The partition wall he buildeth up even, being splented and dawbed with clay-mortar.
2. To adjust, bind or fit a surgical splint to (a fractured bone, etc.); to put into splints; to hold firmly in position, to secure, by means of a splint or splints.
α. 1543. Traheron, trans. Vigo’s Chirurg., VI. i. 181 b. Yf the dislocation be with a fracture,… after restauracion ye shall bynde it & splent it.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., III. (1586), 143 b. Their legges, if they happen to be broken,… being wrapped first in wooll … and afterward splented.
1610. Markham, Masterp., II. cxxxix. 442. Then splent it [a broken bone] with three broad, smooth, & strong splents.
1639. T. de Gray, Expert Farrier, 243. Clap … over that a peece of Leather, cut and shaped for the purpose, and so splent it to keepe it fast on.
1648. Hexham, II. s.v. Spalcken.
β. 1606. Bp. W. Barlow, Serm. 21 Sept., B ij. To heale the infected, to splint the spreined, to reduce the wandring.
1612. Woodall, Surg. Mate, Wks. (1653), 152. The member being onely artificially bound, and splinted orderly.
1725. Fam. Dict., s.v. Surbating, Stop up his Foot therewith,… covering it with a Piece of an old Shoe, and splint it.
1842. Burn, Nav. & Milit. Dict., I. s.v. Attelle, To splint, to put on a splint.
1875. Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket Bk., viii. (ed. 2), 303. If a broken limb be not splinted the ends may be forced through the skin.
† b. To secure or keep in (a dressing, etc.) with a splint or splints. Obs. rare.
1610. Markham, Masterp., II. ci. 385. With a little tow stoppe all the foote, and especially the frush, and splent it in so as it may not fall out.
c. fig. and transf. To strengthen or support as if with splints.
a. 1634. Chapman, Bussy d’Ambois, V. iv. (1641), 70. An Emperour might die standing, why not I? Nay without help, in which I will exceed him; For he died splinted with his chamber Groomes.
1832. Examiner, 11 Nov., 721/2. He wants strength of character;—but authority will come in aid of his peculiar deficiency, and splint him up.
1877. Encycl. Brit., VI. 108/2. Inner and outer layers of epithelial tissue, splinted by connective tissue…, are always developed.
† d. To stop with a splint. Obs.–0
1648. Hexham, II. Spalcken den mondt, to Gagge or Splent the mouth.
† 3. To cut or split (wood, etc.) into splints or splinters; to cleave or slit apart or in two. Obs.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Desgajar, to cleaue a sunder, to slit, to splent.
1598. Florio, Schiantare,… to riue, to splint, to shiuer.
1600. Abp. Abbot, Exp. Jonah, iv. 68. He looketh whether any planke were rift or splint in two.
† b. (See quot.) Obs.–1
1737. Bracken, Farriery Impr. (1757), II. 167. Where the Horse is young and fond of running, it would splint him, or knock him up (as we say) if the Rider were to make his Flourishes upon his Back like a Rope-dancer.
† 4. intr. Of the heart: To burst or split. Obs.–1
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 55. Hard heart of mine why splintst? why breakst not thou?
