Link Centre Dictionary

piecemeal

pie·ce·meal

US/ˈpiːs.miːl/ uncommon
adverb (1) adjective (1)

adverb

1.

a little bit at a time

  • “the research structure has developed piecemeal”
Synonyms

adjective

1.

Origin

From Middle English pecemele, from pece (“piece”) + mele (from Old English mǣlum (“at a time”), dative plural form of mǣl (“time, measure”), taking the place of Old English styċċemǣlum (“in pieces, bit by bit, piecemeal; to pieces, to bits; here and there, in different places; little by little, by degrees, gradually”); equivalent to piece + -meal.

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