(frit′ər) v.t.
1. To waste or disperse little by little: usually with away.
2. To break or tear into small pieces. [<noun]
—noun A small piece or fragment: a shred. [Cf. OF fraiture <L fractura <frangere break]

(frit′ər) noun
A small fried cake, often containing fruit or pieces of meat. [<F friture <L frigere fry]