shred
UK: ʃred | US: ʃred
n. a small, narrow piece torn or cut off from something
vt. to cut or tear something into small, narrow pieces
The word "shred" traces back to Old English screadian, meaning "to cut or tear into pieces." It is related to Middle Dutch schrooden and Old High German scrōtan, all conveying the idea of cutting or paring. The core concept has remained consistent over time, focusing on the action of dividing something into small, fragmented parts. Unlike many words that undergo significant semantic shifts, "shred" has retained its original sense of physical division, later extending metaphorically (e.g., "shred of evidence").
She shredded the documents to protect sensitive information.
Only a shred of fabric remained after the fire.
He didn’t have a shred of doubt about his decision.
Use a grater to shred the cheese finely.
The storm left the flag in shreds.