parcel

American  

[pahr-suhl] / ˈpɑr səl /

noun

1. an object, article, container, or quantity of something wrapped or packed up; small package; bundle.

2. a quantity or unit of something, as of a commodity for sale; lot.

3. a group, collection, or assemblage of persons or things.

   Synonyms:

   assortment, batch

4. a distinct, continuous portion or tract of land.

5. a part, portion, or fragment.

---

verb (used with object)

parceled, parceling, parcelled, parcelling

1. to divide into or distribute in parcels or portions (usually followed byout ).

   Synonyms:

   allot, deal, deal, apportion, mete

2. to make into a parcel or wrap as a parcel.

3. Nautical. to cover or wrap (a rope) with strips of canvas.

adverb

1. Archaic. in part; partially.

parcel British  

/ ˈpɑːsəl /

noun

1. something wrapped up; package

2. a group of people or things having some common characteristic

3. a quantity of some commodity offered for sale; lot

4. a distinct portion of land

5. an essential part of something (esp in the phrase part and parcel )

---

verb

1. (often foll by up) to make a parcel of; wrap up

2. (often foll by out) to divide (up) into portions

3. nautical to bind strips of canvas around (a rope)

adverb

1. an archaic word for partly

parcel Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing parcel

• part and parcel

---

Related Words

See package.

Other Word Forms

• unparceled adjective
• unparceling adjective

Etymology

Origin of parcel

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French parcelle, from unattested Late Latin particella, fresh formation for Latin particula; particle, passel

Example Sentences

Though each farm there was no more than a shack and a square of land, Calvin’s parcel mysteriously yielded more food per square inch than any other farm in the area.

From Literature

But instead of being removed, they are going to be upgraded - people will be able to post small parcels there and then without a trip to the post office.

From BBC

In his hand was a tiny parcel, of brown paper and thin green thread.

From Literature

"Having them consistently for this length of time has meant that now they're just part and parcel of him," she said.

From BBC

Yet I contend the small padded parcel shelf in back qualifies the car as a 2+2 coupe.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bundle
• carton
• package
• packet