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piece Definition

piece (pēs)

noun

  1. a part or fragment broken or separated from the whole
  2. a section, division, or quantity regarded as complete in itself and distinct from the whole of which it is a part
  3. any single thing, amount, specimen, example, etc.; specif.,
    1. an artistic work or composition, as of music, writing, painting, drama, etc.
    2. an article in a magazine, newspaper, etc.
    3. an action or its result a piece of nonsense, business, etc.
    4. a small firearm, as a pistol or rifle
    5. a coin or token a fifty-cent piece
    6. one of a set or class, as of silver, china, furniture, etc.
    7. a counter or man, as used in various games; specif., in chess, a chessman other than a pawn
  4. the quantity or size, as of cloth or wallpaper, that is manufactured as a unit
  5. an amount or unit of work constituting a single job
  6. Now Chiefly Dial. an indefinite distance or duration; often, specif., a rather short one
  7. Now Chiefly Dial. a person; individual
  8. ☆ Slang a financial interest; share
  9. Slang: often regarded as vulgar
    1. a woman regarded as a sexual partner
    2. an instance of sexual intercourse

Etymology: ME pece < OFr < ML *pettia < Celt *pett- > Welsh peth, part, Bret pez, piece

transitive verb pieced, piec′·ing

  1. to add a piece or pieces to, as in repairing or enlarging to piece a pair of trousers
  2. to join or unite

intransitive verb

Informal, Dialectal to eat a snack between meals

piece Related Forms
piec′er noun
piece Idioms

go to pieces

  1. to break into pieces; fall apart
  2. to lose all self-control, morally or emotionally

of a piece

or of one piece

of the same sort; alike; consistent (with)

piece together

to join the pieces of, as in mending

speak one's piece

☆

to vent one's views or opinions

piece Synonyms

piece

n.

  1. Part

    portion, share, section, bit, slice, division, part, item, lump, hunk, scrap, interest, lot, cut, allotment, end, remnant, quota, percentage, dole; see also part 1.

  2. Work of art

    study, composition, creation; see art 2.

  3. Musical, literary, or theatrical composition

    suite, orchestration, production, opus, song, aria, harmonization, study, arrangement, treatise, exposition, sketch, play, novel, thesis, dissertation, discourse, discussion, treatment, essay, causerie, article, paper, memoir, descant, homily, poem, theme, monograph, commentary, review, paragraph, criticism, play, drama, melodrama, pageant, monologue, opera, ballet; see also composition 2, 4.

  4. Theatrical role

    part, lines, bit*; see part 3.

go to pieces

  1. come apart, fall apart, break up, fail; see break down 3.

  2. *quit, collapse, lose control;

speak one's piece

air one's opinions, talk, reveal; see tell 1. See syn. study at part.

piece Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • write: Why not write a piece to display here using the form below!
  • compose: Compose a slow piece over a stately Ground Bass, for a small ensemble, which is to be played during a solemn procession.

Adjective modifier

  • small: A small piece of clay roof tile was also found.
  • short: We will then email you a short piece of code for your category to insert into your links page.
  • finished: I am still thrilled and often amazed how an idea in my mind develops into a finished piece of work.

Modifies a noun

  • suite: The spacious twin bedded room has color TV, wash hand basin, beverage tray and 3 piece suite.
  • band: Band history - Holy Racket Holy Racket are a four piece punk band from Sunderland, England.

Noun used with modifier

  • chess: The computer had been programmed to move its chess pieces by producing a low-level electric current.
  • artillery: One of the artillery pieces that helped to defend this section of Utah beach.
  • companion: The companion piece purchasing hired car disclose up front.
  • jigsaw: Place anywhere Provided the jigsaw pieces fit, parts remain where they are placed.
  • pence: We used twenty pounds of two pence pieces on a cloth on the table.
  • piano: As a grand finale I got lost during the highly complicated piano piece for which I was supposed to be turning pages.

Preposition: in

  • jigsaw: Each new land was a new piece in the jigsaw, an insight into the sheer variety this planet offers its visiting souls.

Preposition: of

  • legislation: A number of these pieces of legislation are also now outdated.
  • paper: Pulling out a piece of paper, he turned to me.
  • equipment: Fig 1.1 PCI Network Card Hub The most basic piece of networking equipment is a hub.
  • wood: Muhammad's name on a piece of wood from Noah's ark?
  • furniture: Book case: a piece of furniture for keeping books.
  • coursework: A further tape helps explain the final piece of coursework.
piece Quotes

Before I compose a piece, I walk round it several times, accompanied by myself.

—Satie, Erik Alfred Leslie

Well, maybe like Casy says, a fellowain't got a soul of his own, but on'ya piece of a big oneöan thenö† Then it don'matter. Then I'll be all aroun' in the dark. I'll be everywhereöwherever you look.Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'll be there.Wherever they's a cop beatin'up aguy,I'll bethere.If Casyknowed, why,I'll be inthewayguysyell whenthey'remad an'öI'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry an'they know supper's ready. An' when our folks eat the stuff they raise an' live in the houses they buildöwhy, I'll be there. See?

—Steinbeck,John Ernest

If everything is caused by innumerable'factors,'then we had best be very careful in any practical actions we undertake. We must deal with many details, and so it is advisable to proceed to reform this little piece and see what happens, before we reform that little piece too. 574

—Mills, C(harles) Wright

When a piece gets difficult make faces.

—Schnabel, Artur