Main Entry:

¹piece

Pronunciation:

\ˈpēs\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *pettia, of Gaulish origin; akin to Welsh peth thing

Date:

13th century

1: a part of a whole: as a: fragment <pieces of broken glass> b: any of the individual members comprising a unit —often used in combination <a five-piece band><a three-piece suit> c: portion, allocation <a piece of the jackpot>2: an object or individual regarded as a unit of a kind or class <a piece of fruit>3: a usually unspecified distance <down the road a piece>4: a standard quantity (as of length, weight, or size) in which something is made or sold5: a literary, journalistic, artistic, dramatic, or musical composition6: firearm7: coin ; also : token8: a movable object used in playing a board game ; specifically : a chessman other than a pawn9: opinion, view <spoke his piece>10 ausually vulgar : an act of copulation busually vulgar : the female partner in sexual intercourse11: instance, example <silly piece of nonsense> <a nice piece of acting>

synonyms see part

— of a piece

: alike, consistent

— piece of one's mind

: a severe scolding : tongue-lashing

— piece of the action

: a share in activity or profit

— to pieces

1: without reserve or restraint : completely2: into fragments ; also : into component parts3: out of control <went to pieces from shock>