piecemeal

American  

[pees-meel] / ˈpisˌmil /

adverb

1. piece by piece; one piece at a time; gradually.

   to work piecemeal.

2. into pieces or fragments.

   to tear a letter piecemeal.

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adjective

1. done piecemeal.

piecemeal British  

/ ˈpiːsˌmiːl /

adverb

1. by degrees; bit by bit; gradually

2. in or into pieces or piece from piece

   to tear something piecemeal

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adjective

1. fragmentary or unsystematic

   a piecemeal approach

Etymology

Origin of piecemeal

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pecemele; replacing Old English styccemǣlum, piece, -meal

Example Sentences

Beijing’s continued push for a stronger social safety net will eventually pay dividends, but the piecemeal annual improvements simply won’t move the needle on consumer spending in the short term.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The whole of firearms legislation needs to be reviewed," he said, giving the handling of 3D printed guns as an example of how the law had developed in a "piecemeal" fashion.

From BBC

Meanwhile, the actual application of this new policy seems to be piecemeal at best.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials said Rainey's home was the model for the scheme, with whole-house renovations aimed at lifting households clear of fuel poverty, rather than piecemeal upgrades to one aspect of a house seen in previous schemes.

From BBC

“But it’s so piecemeal — on this podcast or in that interview,” he continues.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gradual