piecemeal
|piece/meal|
B2
/ˈpiːsˌmiːl/
gradual parts
Etymology
Etymology Information
'piecemeal' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'pecemele,' where 'piece' meant 'a part' and 'meal' meant 'measure.'
Historical Evolution
'pecemele' transformed into the modern English word 'piecemeal' through gradual linguistic evolution.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a measure of a part,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'gradual or partial.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over a period of time.
The reforms were implemented in a piecemeal fashion.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adverb 1
in an unsystematic way, through partial measures taken over time.
The project was completed piecemeal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40