parcel

[ pahr-suhl ]

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)

, par·celed, par·cel·ing or (especially British) par·celled, par·cel·ling.

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

   Synonyms: allot, 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

/ 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. See partly
   an archaic word for partly

Other Words From

• un·par·celed especially British, un·par·celled adjective
• un·par·cel·ing especially British, un·par·cel·ling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parcel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parcel¹

C14: from Old French parcelle, from Latin particula particle

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with parcel , also see part and parcel .

Synonym Study

See package.

Example Sentences

Prévost got into winemaking with the help of Anselme Selosse back in the late ’90s, and today he makes wines exclusively from his family’s parcel of pinot meunier in Gueux, a few miles outside Reims.

From Eater

“It would allow us to grow the trust over time, one parcel at a time,” said Jobie Masagatani, a DHHL executive.

From ProPublica

The department is using the money to acquire a one-acre parcel in urban Honolulu, where it plans to restore two vacant apartment buildings as rentals for beneficiaries.

From ProPublica

He acquired three of the parcels through the city’s Large Lots program, which sold city-owned vacant properties for $1 each.

From ProPublica

The world’s parcel delivery services are slammed beyond capacity, but it’s not too late to give the gift of knowledge this holiday season.

From Outside Online

In contrast, SIX is clearly part and parcel of the Democratic establishment.

From The Daily Beast

This happens in the art world as well, where it can be more profitable to parcel off pieces of ancient vases.

From The Daily Beast

The discrimination and slights Abe experiences are “part and parcel of what we are experiencing in the world,” says Akhtar.

From The Daily Beast

They had wandered up and down, unable to deliver themselves of their parcel.

From The Daily Beast

It is part and parcel of the implicit politics of Snap Judgment, which folds the margins of American society into its center.

From The Daily Beast

She folded them tightly in a handkerchief, and thrust the parcel as far as her arm could reach between the mattress and the bed.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw nothing, heard nothing, but hung upon her as though he was part and parcel of the beloved presence.

From Project Gutenberg

"Now for the other parcel," said Crane, and getting the information as to ownership, he and his companions took buggy to the spot.

From Project Gutenberg

In the purchase of tobacco, it is a principal thing to ascertain how much or how little Temprano a parcel contains.

From Project Gutenberg

Industrious junior clerks have put away a parcel of it in each one of their beautiful green filing cases.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acreage
• plot
• property
• tract