piecemeal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite one thing at a time
    stepwise; in small stages; bit-by-bit; step-by-step.
  2. adverb a little bit at a time
    little by little; in stages; bit by bit.
    • the research structure has developed piecemeal

WordNet

Piece"meal` adverb
Etymology
OE. pecemele; pece a piece + AS. mlum, dat. pl. of ml part. See Meal a portion.
Definitions
  1. In pieces; in parts or fragments. "On which it piecemeal brake." Chapman.
    The beasts will tear thee piecemeal. Tennyson.
  2. Piece by piece; by little and little in succession.
    Piecemeal they win, this acre first, than that. Pope.
Piece"meal` adjective
Definitions
  1. Made up of parts or pieces; single; separate. "These piecemeal guilts." Gov. of Tongue.
Piece"meal` noun
Definitions
  1. A fragment; a scrap. R. Vaughan.

Webster 1913