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 • Mar. 9, 2026

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 • Oct. 25, 2025

This is in contrast to vector line integrals, which can be defined on any piecewise smooth curve.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

However, the pyramid consists of four smooth faces, and thus this surface is piecewise smooth.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Figure 6.19 The union of C1, C2, C3 is a piecewise smooth curve.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016