piecemeal etymology

Etymology:

  • "Piecemeal" is a compound word derived from two Old English words:
    • "piece" (meaning "a part or portion")
    • "meal" (meaning "a part or portion of food")

Meaning:

  • "Piecemeal" refers to something done or achieved gradually or in separate parts. It implies a lack of completeness or unity.

Origin:

  • The compound word "piecemeal" first appeared in the early 12th century Middle English period. It was originally used to describe the distribution of food or provisions in small portions.
  • Over time, the meaning of "piecemeal" expanded to include other contexts, such as incremental progress or actions taken in a fragmented or disjointed manner.
  • The word's original connection to food distribution can still be seen in phrases such as "distributed piecemeal" or "done piecemeal fashion."

piecemeal relate terms

  • inchmeal

    Etymology Inchmeal is derived from the Old English word incemeale which means piece

  • inch

    Etymology Late Old English ince from Proto West Germanic in tiōn thin thing fr

  • meal

    Etymology The word meal comes from the Old English word mæl which originally meant

  • piecemeal

    Etymology Piecemeal is a compound word derived from two Old English words piece

  • meal

    Etymology The word meal comes from the Old English word mæl which originally meant

  • piecemeal

    Etymology Piecemeal is a compound word derived from two Old English words piece

  • piece

    Etymology Piece derives from the Old French word piece meaning fragment share por

  • limb

    Etymology The word limb comes from the Old English word lim which originally meant

  • little

    Etymology Little is from Middle English litel which is from Old English lytel mean

  • little

    Etymology Little is from Middle English litel which is from Old English lytel mean

  • small

    Etymology From Middle English smal which came from Old English smal which originated fr

  • squirrel

    Etymology and Meaning The word squirrel is derived from the Middle English word squir

  • plot

    Etymology Plot derives from the Old English word plot which meant a piece of land

  • taboo

    Etymology The word taboo originates from the Tongan language where it is spelled tap