Definition of piecemeal

The word "piecemeal" originated in the late 16th century and has its roots in the English textile industry. In the past, textile manufacturers used to sell their products in small, individual units or "pieces" rather than in bulk or by the yard. These individual units were often sold at a higher price compared to larger quantities, leading to the term "piece price" or "piece rate" for the price per unit. As the term "piece price" became popular, the expression "piecemeal" emerged as a compound word, combining the words "piece" and "meal" (meaning a meal provided to workers as part of their wages). This usage came from the fact that textile mills often supplied workers with small portions of food, which were given out piecemeal to match the piecework they had completed. Over time, "piecemeal" came to be used more broadly, describing any approach that involved breaking down a larger task or project into smaller components or pieces, generally leading to higher costs and less efficiency due to the extra administrative costs of managing multiple pieces. Today, "piecemeal" is commonly used to refer to such a strategy in a wide variety of contexts, from business to healthcare to education.