piecemeal

Definition

Made or done in pieces or one stage at a time.

Etymology

From Middle English pecemele, from pece (“piece”) + mele (from Old English mǣlum (“at a time”), dative plural form of mǣl (“time, measure”), taking the place of Old English styċċemǣlum (“in pieces, bit by bit, piecemeal; to pieces, to bits; here and there, in different places; little by little, by degrees, gradually”); equivalent to piece + -meal.

Example Sentences

• "Near-synonyms: piecewise, stepwise; see also Thesaurus:gradual"
• "a piecemeal approach"
• "Such assistance, I am convinced, must not be on a piecemeal basis, as various crises develop."