piecemeal

[pees-meel]

adverb

1. piece by piece; one piece at a time; gradually.

   to work piecemeal.

2. into pieces or fragments.

   to tear a letter piecemeal.

adjective

1. done piecemeal.

piecemeal

/ ˈpiːsˌmiːl /

adverb

1. by degrees; bit by bit; gradually

2. in or into pieces or piece from piece

   to tear something piecemeal

adjective

1. fragmentary or unsystematic

   a piecemeal approach

Word History and Origins

Origin of piecemeal¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pecemele; replacing Old English styccemǣlum, piece, -meal

Word History and Origins

Origin of piecemeal¹

C13 pecemele, from _piece + -mele, from Old English mælum quantity taken at one time

Example Sentences

By approaching economic reform in a piecemeal and tentative way, India has failed to keep pace with China’s rapid economic, military and technological modernization.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In Gaza and in Israel, joy and relief at the step toward peace—however piecemeal and fragile—burst out into the open.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

No piecemeal agreements, no more fighting, no more hostages, and start rebuilding Gaza.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Federal employees are fired en masse, and then begrudgingly rehired piecemeal under court order.

Read more on Salon

"They've got to have a plan for British industry, you cannot just do this piecemeal," she said, comparing Germany's £1 trillion plan for energy diversification to the UK's £50bn.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• gradual