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shred

(shrĕd)

1. A long irregular strip that is cut or torn off.

2. A small amount; a particle: not a shred of evidence.

v. shred·ded or shred, shred·ding, shreds

v.tr.

a. To cut or tear into shreds.

b. To use a mechanical shredder to shred (paper documents, for example).

v.intr.
Slang

1. To make a series of quick turns on a wave or snow, for example, when riding a board such as a surfboard or snowboard.

2. To play fast solos accompanied by special techniques on the electric guitar.

[Middle English shrede, from Old English scrēade.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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