Definition of sliver

The origin of the word "sliver" can be traced back to Old English, where it was spelled as "slīfer". This word itself comes from the Old Norse word "slifra", which meant "to strip or slice off". In Old English, "slīfer" referred specifically to slices or thin strips of wood, metal, or other materials that had been cut off or shaved away. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to include thin, narrow pieces of other materials as well, such as ice, glass, or silvery metal. The word "sliver" has two distinct meanings in modern English. One meaning is still related to slices or narrow strips, while the other meaning refers to a small, thin piece of something, particularly silver or other metals. The former meaning is typically used to describe physical objects, while the latter can be used more generally to describe small amounts or portions of things. Interestingly, the spelling and pronunciation of the word "sliver" have changed substantially since its Old English origins. While "slīfer" was pronounced roughly as "slEE-ferh" in Old English, "sliver" is now pronounced as "SLAH-ver" in modern English, with a silent "i" and an emphasis on the second syllable.