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Added 9 October 2026

piece

/piːs/ noun

In Latin: pars, fragmentum, frustum Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about piece at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A part of a larger whole, usually in such a form that it is able to be separated from other parts.
I’d like another piece of pie.
A single item belonging to a class of similar items.
a piece of machinery
One of the figures used in playing chess, specifically a higher-value figure as distinguished from a pawn; those with which draughts, backgammon, and other similar board games are played.

verb

To assemble (something real or figurative).
These clues allowed us to piece together the solution to the mystery.
To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or pieces; to patch; often with out.
to piece a garment
To produce a work of graffiti more complex than a tag.

Origin

From Middle English pece, peece, peice, from Old French piece, from Late Latin pecia, petia (“broken piece, fragment; parcel of land”), of uncertain origin. Possibly ultimately from Gaulish *pettyā, from Proto-Celtic *kʷezdis (“piece, portion, quota”). Compare Welsh peth (“thing, stuff, junk”), Breton pez (“thing”), Irish cuid (“part, portion”). Compare French pièce, Portuguese peça, Spanish pieza, Italian pezza, Italian pezzo. Displaced native Middle English sticche, stucche (“piece, fragment”) from Old English styċċe (“piece, portion”), whence also English styca.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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