¦ noun
1. a portion of an object or of material produced by cutting, tearing, or breaking the whole.
2. an item used in constructing something or forming part of a set; a component.
an instance or example: a crucial piece of evidence.
3. a musical or written work or artistic creation: a piece of music.
4. a figure or token used to make moves in a board game.
Chess a king, queen, bishop, knight, or rook, as opposed to a pawn.
5. a coin of specified value: a 10p piece.
6. informal, chiefly N. Amer. a firearm.
7. informal a woman.
8. Scottish a sandwich or other item of food taken as a snack.
¦ verb
1. (piece something together) assemble something from individual parts.
2. (piece something out) archaic extend something.
3. archaic patch (something).
Phrases
go to pieces become so nervous or upset that one is unable to function normally.
in one piece unharmed or undamaged.
(all) of a piece entirely consistent.
piece by piece in slow and small stages.
piece of water a small lake or pond.
piece of work informal a person of a specified kind, especially an unpleasant one.
say one's piece give one's opinion or make a prepared statement.
tear (or pull) someone/thing to pieces criticize someone or something harshly.
Derivatives
piecer noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. piece (cf. med. L. pecia, petium), of obscure ultimate origin.