First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1piece
noun \ˈpēs\
Definition of PIECE
1
: a part of a whole: as a : fragment <pieces of broken glass> b : any of the individual members comprising a unit —often used in combination <a five-piece band> <a three-piece suit> c : portion, allocation <a piece of the jackpot>
2
: an object or individual regarded as a unit of a kind or class <a piece of fruit>
3
: a usually unspecified distance <down the road a piece>
4
: a standard quantity (as of length, weight, or size) in which something is made or sold
5
: a literary, journalistic, artistic, dramatic, or musical composition
6
: firearm
8
: a movable object used in playing a board game; specifically : a chessman other than a pawn
10
a usually vulgar : an act of copulation b usually vulgar : the female partner in sexual intercourse
11
— of a piece
: alike, consistent
— piece of one's mind
: a severe scolding : tongue-lashing
— piece of the action
: a share in activity or profit
— to pieces
1
: without reserve or restraint : completely
2
: into fragments; also : into component parts
3
: out of control <went to pieces from shock>
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Origin of PIECE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *pettia, of Gaulish origin; akin to Welsh peth thing
Synonym Discussion of PIECE
part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>. member suggests one of the functional units composing a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of the population>. fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off <only a fragment of the play still exists>.
2piece
verb
piecedpiec·ing
Definition of PIECE
transitive verb
2
: to join into a whole —often used with together <his new book … has been pieced together from talks — Merle Miller>
— piec·er noun
See piece defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PIECE
15th century
OF A PIECE Defined for Kids
1piece
noun \ˈpēs\
Definition of PIECE for Kids
1
: a part cut, torn, or broken from something <a piece of pie>
2
: one of a group, set, or mass of things <a piece of mail> <a three-piece suit>
3
: a portion marked off <a piece of land>
4
: a single item or example <a piece of news>
5
: a definite amount or size in which something is made or sold <a piece of paper>
6
: something made or written <a piece of music>
7
: a movable object used in playing a board game <a chess piece>
2piece
verb
piecedpiec·ing
Definition of PIECE for Kids
: to join into a whole : connect the parts or pieces of <I pieced a puzzle together.>
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