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n. 1. A thing considered as a unit or an element of a larger thing, quantity, or class; a portion: a piece of string. 2. A portion or part that has been separated from a whole: a piece of pie. 3. An object that is one member of a group or class: a piece of furniture. 4. An artistic, musical, or literary work or composition: "They are lively and well-plotted pieces, both in prose" (Tucker Brooke). 5. An instance; a specimen: a piece of sheer folly. 6. What one has to say about something; an opinion: speak one's piece. 7. A coin: a ten-cent piece. 8. Games a. One of the counters or figures used in playing various board games. b. Any one of the chess figures other than a pawn. 9. Slang A firearm, especially a rifle. 10. Informal A given distance: "There was farm country down the road on the right a piece" (James Agee). tr.v. pieced, piec·ing, piec·es Idioms: 1. To mend by adding pieces or a piece to: piece a dress. 2. To join or unite the pieces of: He pieced together the vase. She pieced together an account of what had gone on during the stormy meeting. a piece of (one's) mind Frank and severe criticism; censure. of a piece Belonging to the same class or kind. piece by piece In stages: took the clock apart piece by piece. piece of ass Vulgar Slang A person, especially a woman, considered sexually attractive. piece of cake Informal Something very easy to do. piece of the action Slang A share of an activity or of profits: "a piece of the action in a Florida land deal" (Shana Alexander). piece of work A remarkable person, achievement, or product: "He's a very tough piece of work" (Ted Koppel). [Middle English pece, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *pettia, probably of Celtic origin.] |
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