How Do You Spell PIECEMEAL?

Pronunciation: [pˈiːsmˌiːl] (IPA)

Piecemeal is spelled p-i-e-c-e-m-e-a-l. Its pronunciation is ˈpiːs.miːl. The word means done in stages or one piece at a time. The word comes from the combination of two words – "piece" and "meal". It is believed that the word originated in the early nineteenth century. The spelling of Piecemeal is quite straightforward and easy to remember once you get familiar with the sounds. It’s a useful word to know when describing tasks that are accomplished gradually or incrementally.

PIECEMEAL Meaning and Definition

1. Piecemeal is an adjective that refers to the act or process of doing something gradually or in small increments, rather than all at once or in a coordinated manner. It implies that something is being carried out bit by bit, piece by piece, or in a fragmented manner without a comprehensive or systematic approach.

   The term "piecemeal" can be applied to various contexts. It can describe a method of completing a task by tackling individual parts or stages without considering the overall picture or addressing the root causes. For example, if renovations to a building are done piecemeal, it implies that various improvements are made without a well-planned and consistent strategy, possibly resulting in inefficiencies or inconsistency in the final outcome.

   Piecemeal can also be used in a qualitative sense, suggesting a lack of coherence or unity. In this case, it implies that something is fragmented or disjointed, lacking a sense of completeness or wholeness. For instance, a story or narrative that is piecemeal may present disconnected events or ideas that do not flow smoothly.

   Overall, piecemeal is associated with a gradual, fragmentary, or disjointed approach that lacks comprehensive planning or coordination, potentially leading to incomplete or inefficient results. It conveys the idea that actions or processes are being done in small, scattered parts rather than in a cohesive or integrated manner.

2. • Single.

   • In pieces; in fragments; gradually.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PIECEMEAL *

• peicemeal 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PIECEMEAL

• peacemeal
• piecmeal
• piecemel
• peecmeal
• pecmeal
• picesmeal

Etymology of PIECEMEAL

The word "piecemeal" originated from Middle English, specifically from the combination of "piece" and "meal".

The term "piece", derived from Old French "piece" meaning "a portion or part", can be traced back to Latin "pēxus" meaning "fixed measure".

Meanwhile, "meal" also has Old English roots, related to the Germanic "mǣl" which meant "measure" or "appointed time". Both "meal" and "mǣl" have further connections to the Proto-Indo-European root "mel-" which means "to measure" or "to mark".

When "piece" and "meal" were combined, the resulting word "piecemeal" emerged in the 14th century and originally referred to things being done or taken in separate parts or increments.