piece
UK[piːs]US[piːs]
n
A separate part or section of something larger.
n
A single item of a particular type, especially one that forms part of a set.
n
An artistic or literary work.
n
A coin of specified value.
v
To put parts together to form a whole.
Etymology
The word 'piece' entered English in the late 13th century from Anglo-Norman French 'pece' or 'piece', meaning a portion or fragment. This Old French term is believed to derive from a late Latin word 'pettia', possibly of Gaulish origin, which also conveyed the sense of a part or a bit. The core concept of a separate portion has remained remarkably stable throughout its journey into English. Over time, its application broadened metaphorically to include a single item (a piece of fruit), a work of art (a musical piece), and even a coin, while retaining its fundamental meaning of a constituent part of a larger whole.
Analysis
The word 'piece' is a simplex word of Anglo-Norman origin. It does not contain separable, productive morphemes in modern English.
Examples
She cut the cake into eight equal pieces.
He played a beautiful piece by Chopin on the piano.
The detective worked tirelessly to piece together the clues from the crime scene.