piece
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piece (pēs)
noun
- a part or fragment broken or separated from the whole
- a section, division, or quantity regarded as complete in itself and distinct from the whole of which it is a part
- any single thing, amount, specimen, example, etc.; specif.,
- an artistic work or composition, as of music, writing, painting, drama, etc.
- an article in a magazine, newspaper, etc.
- an action or its result a piece of nonsense, business, etc.
- a small firearm, as a pistol or rifle
- a coin or token a fifty-cent piece
- one of a set or class, as of silver, china, furniture, etc.
- a counter or man, as used in various games; specif., in chess, a chessman other than a pawn
- the quantity or size, as of cloth or wallpaper, that is manufactured as a unit
- an amount or unit of work constituting a single job
- Now Chiefly Dial. an indefinite distance or duration; often, specif., a rather short one
- Now Chiefly Dial. a person; individual
- ☆ Slang a financial interest; share
- Slang: often regarded as vulgar also Slangpiece of ass
- a woman regarded as a sexual partner
- an instance of sexual intercourse
Etymology: ME pece < OFr < ML *pettia < Celt *pett- > Welsh peth, part, Bret pez, piece
transitive verb pieced, piecing piec′·ing
- to add a piece or pieces to, as in repairing or enlarging to piece a pair of trousers
- to join or unite
intransitive verb
Related Forms:
- piecer piec′er noun
go to pieces
- to break into pieces; fall apart
- to lose all self-control, morally or emotionally
piece together
speak one's piece
☆Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
piece
n.
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.Work of art
study, composition, creation; see art 2.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.Theatrical role
go to pieces
come apart, fall apart, break up, fail; see break down 3.*quit, collapse, lose control;
speak one's piece
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Converse of object
- write: Why not write a piece to display here using the form below!
Adjective modifier
- small: A small piece of clay roof tile was also found.
Modifies a noun
- suite: The spacious twin bedded room has color TV, wash hand basin, beverage tray and 3 piece suite.
Noun used with modifier
- chess: The computer had been programmed to move its chess pieces by producing a low-level electric current.
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.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
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
Before I compose a piece, I walk round it several times, accompanied by myself.
When a piece gets difficult make faces.
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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MLA Style
"piece." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/piece>
APA Style
piece. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/piece

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