piecemeal

[ pees-meel ]

adverb

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

   to work piecemeal.

2. into pieces or fragments:

   to tear a letter piecemeal.

adjective

1. done piecemeal.

piecemeal

/ ˈpiːsˌmiːl /

adverb

1. by degrees; bit by bit; gradually
2. in or into pieces or piece from piece

   to tear something piecemeal

adjective

1. fragmentary or unsystematic

   a piecemeal approach

Word History and Origins

Origin of piecemeal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of piecemeal¹

C13 pecemele, from piece + -mele, from Old English mælum quantity taken at one time

Example Sentences

Jewels from the original, which was set with 650 diamonds and weighed around 2,800 carats, were sold piecemeal on the black market.

From BBC

In previous years, piecemeal confirmation of the line-up has started in November, but the full rundown is typically kept under wraps until March.

From BBC

A taxpayer group opposing the bond says the state will go further into debt on piecemeal projects.

From Salon

“Under a Harris administration, it would trudge along. They’re still finding these piecemeal ways to go about it.”

From Salon

But the piecemeal allegations leveled in the criminal and civil cases stopped short of answering an essential question that’s been hinted at by attorneys, investigators and internet sleuths: Who else was involved?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gradual