1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2a. To damage seriously; disable: His health was shattered by the disease.b. To cause the destruction or ruin of; destroy: The outcome of the conflict shattered our dreams of peace and prosperity.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
To break into pieces; smash or burst. See synonyms at break.
NOUN:
1a. The act of shattering. b. The condition of being shattered. 2. A splintered or fragmented condition. Often used in the plural: a rare piece of porcelain now in shatters.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English schateren, from Old English *sceaterian, to scatter.
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