piece

English

/piːs/

noun
Definitions
  • A part of a larger whole, usually in such a form that it is able to be separated from other parts.
  • A single item belonging to a class of similar items
  • (chess) One of the figures used in playing chess, specifically a higher-value figure as distinguished from a pawn; by extension, a similar counter etc. in other games.
  • A coin, especially one valued at less than the principal unit of currency.
  • An artistic creation, such as a painting, sculpture, musical composition, literary work, etc.
  • An article published in the press.
  • (military) An artillery gun.
  • (US) A gun.
  • (US) A toupee or wig, especially when worn by a man.
  • (Scotland) A slice or other quantity of bread, eaten on its own; a sandwich or light snack.
  • (US) A sexual encounter; from piece of ass or piece of tail
  • (US) A shoddy or worthless object usually applied to consumer products like vehicles or appliances.
  • (US) A cannabis pipe.
  • (baseball) Used to describe a pitch that has been hit but not well, usually either being caught by the opposing team or going foul. Usually used in the past tense with got.
  • (dated) An individual; a person.
  • (obsolete) A castle; a fortified building.
  • (US) A pacifier; a dummy.
  • (colloquial) A distance.
  • (rowing) A structured practice row, often used for performance evaluation.
  • An amount of work to be done at one time; a unit of piece work.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English pece derived from Old French piece derived from Latin petia derived from Gaulish *pettyā derived from Proto-Celtic *kʷesdis (piece, portion).

Origin

Proto-Celtic

*kʷesdis

Gloss

piece, portion

Concept
Semantic Field

Quantity

Ontological Category

Person/Thing

Emoji
🧩

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms