pi:s n. & v. --n. 1 a (often foll. by of)
one of
the distinct portions forming
part of or
broken off from a larger
object; a bit; a part (a piece of string). b
each of the parts of
which a set or
category is composed (a five-piece
band; a piece of furniture). 2 a
coin of specified
value (50p piece). 3 a a usu.
short literary or
musical composition or a
picture. b a
theatrical play. 4 an
item,
instance, or
example (a piece of impudence; a piece of news). 5 a
any of the objects used to
make moves in board-games. b a
chessman (strictly,
other than a pawn). 6 a
definite quantity in which a
thing is
sold. 7 (often foll. by of) an enclosed
portion (of
land etc.). 8 derog. sl. a
woman. 9 US (foll. by of) sl. a
financial share or
investment in (has a piece of the
new production). --v.tr. 1 (usu. foll. by together)
form into a
whole; put
together;
join (finally pieced
his story together). 2 (usu. foll. by out) a
eke out. b form (a
theory etc.) by combining parts etc. 3 (usu. foll. by up)
patch. 4 join (threads) in
spinning. øbreak to pieces break into fragments. by the piece (paid)
according to the quantity of
work done. go to pieces
collapse emotionally;
suffer a
breakdown. in one piece 1
unbroken. 2
unharmed. in pieces broken. of a piece (often foll. by with)
uniform,
consistent, in
keeping. piece-goods fabrics,
esp. Lancashire cottons,
woven in
standard lengths. a piece of
cake see CAKE. piece of
eight hist. a
Spanish dollar,
equivalent to 8 reals. piece of goods sl. derog. a woman. a piece of one's
mind a
sharp rebuke or
lecture. piece of
water a
small lake etc. piece of work a thing
made by
working (cf.
nasty piece of work). piece-rates a rate
paid according to the
amount produced. piece-work work paid
for by the amount produced.
say one's piece
give one's
opinion or make a prepared
statement.
take to pieces 1 break up or
dismantle. 2
criticize harshly. øøpiecer n. (in
sense 4 of v.). [ME f. AF pece, OF piece f. Rmc, prob. of
Gaulish orig.:
cf. PEAT]
