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n. 1. Something wrapped up or packaged; a package. 2. A plot of land, usually a division of a larger area. 3. A quantity of merchandise offered for sale. 4. A group or company; a pack: "this youthful parcel of noble bachelors" (Shakespeare). tr.v. par·celed, par·cel·ing, par·cels also par·celled or par·cel·ling 1. To divide into parts and distribute: parceled out the land to their three children. 2. To make into a parcel; package. 3. Nautical To wind protective strips of canvas around (rope). [Middle English, from Old French, portion, from Vulgar Latin *particella, diminutive of Latin particula, diminutive of pars, part-, part; see perə-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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