1. a fissure or crack in a log or stem that follows a growth ring for some distance 2. a longitudinal fissure or crack in lumber resulting from stresses that caused the wood fibers to separate along the grain and not extending in the converted piece from one surface to another —see growth stress 3. a thin section split from a bolt used for roofing or weatherboarding —see shingle —see windshake This definition last updated 08/04/2008