piecemeal
UK[ˈpiːsmiːl]US[ˈpiːsmiːl]
adj
Done or happening gradually, in separate stages, or one part at a time.
adv
In a gradual, partial, or separate way.
Morpheme Breakdown
piece
meal
piece
a part or portion
meal
a fixed time, occasion, measure
Etymology
The word 'piecemeal' is a fascinating fossil of a compound formation in English. It originates from the Middle English phrase 'pecemele', where 'pece' meant "piece" and 'mele' was a native English suffix derived from Old English 'mǣl', meaning "measure" or "appointed time". Literally, it meant "piece by piece" or "by a piece-measure". This adverbial genitive construction, similar to 'seldom' (from 'seld' + 'mǣl'), evolved from describing a literal, measured action into describing any process done in stages or fragments. Over time, the original concrete sense of "by a fixed measure of pieces" faded, leaving the abstract modern meanings of gradualness and incompleteness, applicable both as an adjective and an adverb.
Analysis
Structure: piece + meal
- piece: From Middle English 'pece', from Old French, of uncertain origin. Functional role: The core noun meaning "a part or portion".
- meal: From Middle English 'mele', from Old English 'mǣl', meaning "a fixed time, occasion, measure". Functional role: A noun suffix forming adjectives/adverbs, indicating "by a measure of".
Examples
The reforms were implemented in a piecemeal fashion over several years.
The old system was dismantled piecemeal, causing confusion during the transition.
A piecemeal approach to solving the crisis is unlikely to be effective.