parcel
- an object, article, container, or quantity of something wrapped or packed up; small package; bundle.
- a quantity or unit of something, as of a commodity for sale; lot.
- a group, collection, or assemblage of persons or things.
- a distinct, continuous portion or tract of land.
- a part, portion, or fragment.
- to divide into or distribute in parcels or portions (usually followed by out).
- to make into a parcel or wrap as a parcel.
- Nautical. to cover or wrap (a rope) with strips of canvas.
- Archaic. in part; partially.
Origin of parcel
Synonyms
See more synonyms for parcel on Thesaurus.comExamples from the Web for parcel
Contemporary Examples
In contrast, SIX is clearly part and parcel of the Democratic establishment.
This happens in the art world as well, where it can be more profitable to parcel off pieces of ancient vases.
The discrimination and slights Abe experiences are “part and parcel of what we are experiencing in the world,” says Akhtar.
They had wandered up and down, unable to deliver themselves of their parcel.
It is part and parcel of the implicit politics of Snap Judgment, which folds the margins of American society into its center.
Historical Examples
Lizzie could not control her laughter when he said "parcel."
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
I have luckily deposited my parcel, and have your letter of last night.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
When the parcel comes to your hands, as I hope it safely will, you will be pleased to open it.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
If Robert take this without the parcel, pray let him return immediately for it.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
I ought yesterday to have acknowledged the receipt of your parcel.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)Samuel Richardson
parcel
- something wrapped up; package
- a group of people or things having some common characteristic
- a quantity of some commodity offered for sale; lot
- a distinct portion of land
- an essential part of something (esp in the phrase part and parcel)
- (often foll by up) to make a parcel of; wrap up
- (often foll by out) to divide (up) into portions
- nautical to bind strips of canvas around (a rope)
- an archaic word for partly
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for parcel
n.
late 14c., "a portion of something, a part" (sense preserved in phrase parcel of land, c.1400), from Old French parcele "small piece, particle, parcel," from Vulgar Latin *particella, diminutive of Latin particula "small part, little bit," itself a diminutive of pars (genitive partis) "part" (see part (n.)).
Meaning "package" is first recorded 1640s, earlier "a quantity of goods in a package" (mid-15c.), from late 14c. sense of "an amount or quantity of anything." The expression part and parcel (early 15c.) also preserves the older sense; both words mean the same, the multiplicity is for emphasis.
v.
"to divide into small portions," early 15c. (with out), from parcel (n.). Related: Parceled; parcelled; parceling; parcelling.
Idioms and Phrases with parcel
parcel
In addition to the idiom beginning with parcel
- parcel out
also see:
- part and parcel