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

Meanwhile, a complex patchwork system of more specific tariffs - which target American imports of certain goods, or imports from certain countries - remains in place.

From BBC

Court of International Trade protective actions “have a clear path through court-ordered reliquidation,” but the “vast majority who did not face a patchwork of procedural options.”

From MarketWatch

"I hope we will see pragmatic efforts to move beyond a legislative patchwork towards meaningful consensus in addressing AI harms, maliciously caused or otherwise," he told me.

From BBC

Many states have proposed AI bills that could create a regulatory patchwork for companies, worrying tech executives.

From The Wall Street Journal

The UK does have an extensive network of flood defences but there is a patchwork of organisations - including farmers, water companies and charities - responsible for them.

From BBC

Related Words

• jumble
• mishmash
• plaid
• tartan