shred

[ shred ]
/ ʃrɛd /

noun

a piece cut or torn off, especially in a narrow strip.
a bit; scrap: We haven't got a shred of evidence.

verb (used with object), shred·ded or shred, shred·ding.

to cut or tear into small pieces, especially small strips; reduce to shreds.

verb (used without object), shred·ded or shred, shred·ding.

to be cut up, torn, etc.: The blouse had shredded.

Origin of shred

before 1000; (noun) Middle English schrede, Old English scrēade; cognate with Old Norse skrjōthr worn-out book, German Schrot chips; (v.) Middle English schreden, Old English scrēadian to pare, trim; akin to shroud; cf. screed

OTHER WORDS FROM shred

shred·less, adjective shred·like, adjective un·shred·ded, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for shredded

British Dictionary definitions for shredded

shred
/ (ʃrɛd) /

noun

a long narrow strip or fragment torn or cut off
a very small piece or amount; scrap

verb shreds, shredding, shredded or shred

(tr) to tear or cut into shreds

Derived forms of shred

shredder, noun

Word Origin for shred

Old English scread; related to Old Norse skrjōthr torn-up book, Old High German scrōt cut-off piece; see scroll, shroud, screed