shatter

Everyday

1. To shatter is to break suddenly into many small pieces. tree →
2. To shatter something like hope or calm is to destroy it suddenly. tree →
3. To shatter a record is to beat it by a lot. tree →
4. To shatter someone is to make them very upset (or very tired). tree →

In the lessons

In safety: glass shatters — stay away from broken glass and tell an adult. In science, shatterproof materials. In stories: shattered dreams, the silence was shattered. Phrases: «shatter into pieces», «shatter a record», «shatter the silence».

Examples

• The glass shattered on the floor. tree →
• A ball shattered the window. tree →
• A scream shattered the silence. tree →
• She shattered the school record for the 100 metres. tree →
• The news shattered his hopes. tree →
• Safety glass does not shatter into sharp pieces. tree →
• The least shock is sure to shatter me!" tree →

Note

Regular verb. Stronger than «break»: many pieces, all at once.

In Jewish tradition

Used for God breaking the sea-monsters, the nations and their kings and chariots, showing His power over enemies.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the broken sea-monsters as God's victory over chaos and over Egypt at the sea, and Jeremiah's verses as Babylon's coming fall.

Examples

• Thou didst break the sea in pieces by Thy strength; Thou didst shatter the heads of the sea-monsters in the waters. (Writings PSA.74.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou art My maul and weapons of war, and with thee will I shatter the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; (Prophets JER.51.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And with thee will I shatter the horse and his rider, and with thee will I shatter the chariot and him that rideth therein; (Prophets JER.51.21, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb. Stronger than «break»: many pieces, all at once.