splint
splint
UK[splɪnt]US[splɪnt]
n
a long, flat piece of wood, metal, or plastic used to hold a broken bone in the correct position while it heals.
n
a thin strip of material used to support a weak joint or to hold a broken finger straight.
v
to support or hold in place with a splint.
Etymology
the word 'splint' entered english from middle dutch 'splinte' or middle low german 'splinte', meaning a thin piece of wood or metal. these germanic terms are thought to be related to the verb 'to split', reflecting the process of creating such a thin piece by splitting wood. over time, the meaning specialized in medical contexts to refer to the rigid pieces of material used to immobilize and support broken bones. the core logic connects the idea of a thin, split piece of material to its modern function as a supportive medical device.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is a loanword from middle dutch or middle low german, where it originally referred to a thin piece of wood or metal.
Examples
the doctor applied a splint to stabilize the fractured wrist.
for a minor sprain, a simple finger splint may be sufficient.
they had to splint the injured leg before moving the hiker.