piecewise

American  

[pees-wahyz] / ˈpisˌwaɪz /

adverb

Mathematics.

1. denoting that a function has a specified property, as smoothness or continuity, on each of a finite number of pieces into which its domain is divided.

   a piecewise continuous function; a piecewise differentiable curve.

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Etymology

Origin of piecewise

First recorded in 1665–75; piece + -wise

Example Sentences

To evaluate whether the warming rate has changed since the 1970s, the researchers applied two statistical techniques: a quadratic trend analysis and a piecewise linear model that identifies when shifts in warming rates occur.

From Science Daily

The study revealed that subduction zones don't fail in one catastrophic break but die in stages, through a process known as "episodic" or "piecewise" termination.

From Science Daily

This is called a piecewise continuous solution.

From Science Daily

From behavioral motivations to the piecewise ‘progress’ of a species in exploiting sources of energy and development of materials and machines.

From Scientific American

One of the dead, for example, pays piecewise to experience a head cold, along with pay-as-you-go sneezes, merely because it is something to break up the monotony of eternity.

From Slate