spalt

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. To split off, as large splinters from a piece of timber in working it.
2. Brittle; liable to break or split.
3. Frail; clumsy; heedless; pert.
4. n. A whitish scaly mineral, used to promote the fusion of metals.

Wiktionary

1. n. spelter
2. adj. of wood brittle
3. v. To break off pieces, especially with an axe etc; to splinter

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Metal.), colloq. Spelter.
2. adj. Prov. Eng. Liable to break or split; brittle.
3. adj. Prov. Eng. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy.
4. v. Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S. To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a piece of timber, with an ax.