Definition

1. Noun:

   • A part of something: A "piece" is a portion or fragment separated from a whole object.
   • An item or instance of a type: A "piece" can be a single, distinct item that is an example of a larger category.
   • A work of art or composition: A "piece" refers to a created work, such as a painting, musical composition, or literary article.
   • A game counter: In board games, a "piece" is an object used to play, such as a chess piece.
   • A firearm: A "piece" can be a slang or informal term for a gun.
   • A coin: A "piece" can refer to a coin, especially in historical contexts.

2. Verb:

   • To assemble or join parts: To "piece" something together means to assemble it from separate parts.
   • To repair by adding a part: To "piece" something can mean to mend it by adding a new section.
   • To eat in small amounts: To "piece" at food means to eat it slowly or intermittently, taking small bites.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She cut the cake into eight equal pieces. (Here, "piece" is a part of the whole cake.)
  • He owns a beautiful piece of antique furniture. (Here, "piece" is a single item of a type.)
  • The museum acquired a new piece by a famous sculptor. (Here, "piece" is a work of art.)
  • You moved your piece to the wrong square. (Here, "piece" is a game counter in a board game.)
  • The evidence is an important piece of the puzzle. (Here, "piece" is a part contributing to a whole understanding.)

• Verb:

  • Historians tried to piece together the events from fragments of text. (Here, "piece" means to assemble information.)
  • She pieced the torn dress with a matching fabric. (Here, "piece" means to repair by adding material.)
  • He just pieced at his lunch, not very hungry. (Here, "piece" means to eat in small bites.)

Advanced Usage

• "a piece of one's mind": To give someone a severe reprimand or express strong disapproval.

  • After his rude behavior, I gave him a piece of my mind.

• "all of a piece": Consistent in character; uniform.

  • His actions and his words were all of a piece.

• "go to pieces": To become so upset or distressed that one cannot function normally.

  • She went to pieces after hearing the tragic news.

• "piece of cake" (Idiom): Something very easy to do.

  • The exam was a piece of cake.

Variants and Related Words

• Masterpiece (n): An outstanding work of art or craftsmanship.

  • The novel is considered his masterpiece.

• Centerpiece (n): The most important or attractive item, often placed in the center.

  • The floral arrangement was the centerpiece of the table.

• Piecemeal (adv/adj): Done or happening in stages or parts, not all at once.

  • The reforms were introduced piecemeal over several years.

Synonyms

• Noun: Part, portion, segment, fragment, bit, item, unit, work, article.
• Verb: Assemble, join, mend, patch, nibble.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Piece together: To assemble something from many separate parts or pieces of information.

  • Detectives pieced together the suspect's movements from security footage.

• Piece out (archaic/less common): To extend or complete by adding parts.

  • He pieced out his story with details from his imagination.

Related Idioms

• Say one's piece: To express one's opinion frankly.

  • Everyone at the meeting was given a chance to say their piece.

• A piece of the action: A share in an activity, especially a profitable one.

  • Investors all wanted a piece of the action in the new tech startup.

• In one piece: Safely, without injury.

  • We were relieved when the children returned from the hike in one piece.

Noun

1. game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games
   • he taught me to set up the men on the chess board
   • he sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
2. a share of something
   • a slice of the company's revenue
3. a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
   • he was here for a little while
   • I need to rest for a piece
   • a spell of good weather
   • a patch of bad weather
4. a work of art of some artistic value
   • this store sells only objets d'art
   • it is not known who created this piece
5. a distance
   • it is down the road a piece
6. a serving that has been cut from a larger portion
   • a piece of pie
   • a slice of bread
7. a portable gun
   • he wore his firearm in a shoulder holster
8. an artistic or literary composition
   • he wrote an interesting piece on Iran
   • the children acted out a comic piece to amuse the guests
9. an instance of some kind
   • it was a nice piece of work
   • he had a bit of good luck
10. a musical work that has been created
    • the composition is written in four movements
11. a portion of a natural object
    • they analyzed the river into three parts
    • he needed a piece of granite
12. an item that is an instance of some type;
    • he designed a new piece of equipment
    • she bought a lovely piece of china
13. a separate part of a whole
    • an important piece of the evidence

Verb

1. repair by adding pieces
   • She pieced the china cup
2. eat intermittently; take small bites of
   • He pieced at the sandwich all morning
   • She never eats a full meal--she just nibbles
3. join during spinning
   • piece the broken pieces of thread, slivers, and rovings
4. create by putting components or members together
   • She pieced a quilt
   • He tacked together some verses
   • They set up a committee
5. to join or unite the pieces of
   • patch the skirt