patchwork

American  

[pach-wurk] / ˈpætʃˌwɜrk /

noun

1. something made up of an incongruous variety of pieces or parts; hodgepodge.

   a patchwork of verse forms.

   Synonyms:

   mélange, jumble, medley

2. work made of pieces of cloth or leather of various colors or shapes sewed together, used especially for covering quilts, cushions, etc.

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adjective

1. resembling a patchwork, especially in being makeshift, irregular, or improvised.

   a patchwork policy of dispensing foreign aid.

verb (used with object)

1. to make as patchwork.

   She specializes in patchworking skirts.

2. to assemble or connect in making patchwork.

   to patchwork neckties into bedspreads.

patchwork British  

/ ˈpætʃˌwɜːk /

noun

1. needlework done by sewing pieces of different materials together

2. something, such as a theory, made up of various parts

   a patchwork of cribbed ideas

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Other Word Forms

• patchworky adjective

Etymology

Origin of patchwork

First recorded in 1685–95; patch ¹ + work

Example Sentences

In the end, Elmer the patchwork elephant seemed the friendliest, least controversial decision.

From The Wall Street Journal

That patchwork is reflected in its genus name.

From Science Daily

Much of Mars is made up of a patchwork of smaller drainage systems.

From Science Daily

On Tuesday, the BLS defended its approach in a Q&A document published to its website, arguing that the agency had no better way to handle a challenging patchwork of missing data.

From The Wall Street Journal

What emerged in the ensuing years is a patchwork of conflicting appellate court decisions, which the Supreme Court attempted to resolve Monday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• jumble
• mishmash
• plaid
• tartan