Shred

Shred (?), n. [OE. shrede, schrede, AS. screÁde; akin to OD. schroode, G. schrot a piece cut off, Icel. skrjoðr a shred, and to E. shroud. Cf. Screed, Scroll, Scrutiny.] 1. A long, narrow piece cut or torn off; a strip. "Shreds of tanned leather." Bacon.

2. In general, a fragment; a piece; a particle. Shak.

Shred, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shred or Shredded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Shredding.] [OE. shreden, schreden, AS. screÁdian; akin to OD. schrooden, OHG. scr?tan, G. schroten. See Shred, n.] 1. To cut or tear into small pieces, particularly narrow and long pieces, as of cloth or leather. Chaucer.

2. To lop; to prune; to trim. [Obs.]