释义
[ pees -meel ] SHOW IPA
/ ˈpisˌmil / PHONETIC RESPELLING
SEE SYNONYMS FOR piecemeal ON THESAURUS.COM
adverb piece by piece; one piece at a time; gradually: to work piecemeal.
into pieces or fragments: to tear a letter piecemeal.
Origin of piecemeal 1250–1300; Middle English pecemele; replacing Old English styccemǣlum. See piece, -meal
Words nearby piecemeal piece by piece, pièce de résistance, pièce d'occasion, piece-dyed, piece goods, piecemeal , piece of ass, piece of cake, piece of change, piece of eight, piece of exchange
Dictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for piecemeal The American edition retains the piecemeal lightness of the original experiment.
Teju Cole’s Keen Eye Spares No One—Himself Included | Benjamin Lytal| July 9, 2014| DAILY BEAST
Luskin makes the best argument he can, of course, but it is piecemeal and speculative.
The Crazy Way Creationists Try To Explain Human Tails Without Evolution | Karl W. Giberson| June 1, 2014| DAILY BEAST
While a grand bargain is extremely unlikely, Wyden intends to keep pushing for piecemeal reform.
The Senate’s New Taxman Won’t Be Controlled By His Own Party | Linda Killian| February 18, 2014| DAILY BEAST
After all, if he is looking for a party of deference, compromise, and piecemeal reform he need look no further.
We Are Radicals at Heart: A New History Gets America Wrong | Harvey J. Kaye| December 5, 2013| DAILY BEAST
As a result, the entire season is piecemeal , with episodes devoted to each character.
In Defense of ‘Arrested Development’ | Justin Green| May 28, 2013| DAILY BEAST
Our ministers make their statements to both Houses indirectly and piecemeal , through the medium of the Committees.
Congressional Government | Woodrow Wilson
By piecemeal and imperfect disclosures her curiosity was kept alive.
Ormond, Volume II (of 3) | Charles Brockden Brown
Piecemeal he learnt her story, and perceived the weakness of her character.
To Tell You the Truth | Leonard Merrick
I wish Providence would keep the punishment till all the sins are done—this piecemeal retribution is the devil.
The scientific attitude is tentative and piecemeal , believing what it finds evidence for, and no more.
The Practice and Theory of Bolshevism | Bertrand Russell
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British Dictionary definitions for piecemeal adverb by degrees; bit by bit; gradually
in or into pieces or piece from piece to tear something piecemeal
adjective fragmentary or unsystematic a piecemeal approach
Word Origin for piecemeal C13 pecemele, from piece + -mele, from Old English mælum quantity taken at one time
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Words related to piecemeal gradual, by degrees, fitfully, fragmentary, gradually, intermittent, interrupted, partial, partially, patchy, spotty, intermittently, at intervals, by fits and starts, little by little, step by step