Word of the day: spall

The word of the day is spall:

—noun

1. a chip or splinter, as of stone or ore.

—verb (used with object)

2. to break into smaller pieces, as ore; split or chip.

—verb (used without object)

3. to break or split off in chips or bits.

"chip of stone," 1440, from M.E. verb spald "to split" (c.1400), from M.L.G. spalden, cognate with O.H.G. spaltan "to split" (see spill).

(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spalled)

"The spalled paint around the door was scrubbed to the wood beneath, and the sash window — the constable had to walk over for a closer examination."

 - Laurie R. King, The Murder of Mary Russell