piece
/pi:s/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A part of something: A "piece" is a portion or fragment separated from a whole object.
- An item or instance of a type: A "piece" can be a single, distinct item that is an example of a larger category.
- A work of art or composition: A "piece" refers to a created work, such as a painting, musical composition, or literary article.
- A game counter: In board games, a "piece" is an object used to play, such as a chess piece.
- A firearm: A "piece" can be a slang or informal term for a gun.
- A coin: A "piece" can refer to a coin, especially in historical contexts.
Verb:
- To assemble or join parts: To "piece" something together means to assemble it from separate parts.
- To repair by adding a part: To "piece" something can mean to mend it by adding a new section.
- To eat in small amounts: To "piece" at food means to eat it slowly or intermittently, taking small bites.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- She cut the cake into eight equal pieces. (Here, "piece" is a part of the whole cake.)
- He owns a beautiful piece of antique furniture. (Here, "piece" is a single item of a type.)
- The museum acquired a new piece by a famous sculptor. (Here, "piece" is a work of art.)
- You moved your piece to the wrong square. (Here, "piece" is a game counter in a board game.)
- The evidence is an important piece of the puzzle. (Here, "piece" is a part contributing to a whole understanding.)
Verb:
- Historians tried to piece together the events from fragments of text. (Here, "piece" means to assemble information.)
- She pieced the torn dress with a matching fabric. (Here, "piece" means to repair by adding material.)
- He just pieced at his lunch, not very hungry. (Here, "piece" means to eat in small bites.)
Advanced Usage
"a piece of one's mind": To give someone a severe reprimand or express strong disapproval.
- After his rude behavior, I gave him a piece of my mind.
"all of a piece": Consistent in character; uniform.
- His actions and his words were all of a piece.
"go to pieces": To become so upset or distressed that one cannot function normally.
- She went to pieces after hearing the tragic news.
"piece of cake" (Idiom): Something very easy to do.
- The exam was a piece of cake.
Variants and Related Words
Masterpiece (n): An outstanding work of art or craftsmanship.
- The novel is considered his masterpiece.
Centerpiece (n): The most important or attractive item, often placed in the center.
- The floral arrangement was the centerpiece of the table.
Piecemeal (adv/adj): Done or happening in stages or parts, not all at once.
- The reforms were introduced piecemeal over several years.
Synonyms
- Noun: Part, portion, segment, fragment, bit, item, unit, work, article.
- Verb: Assemble, join, mend, patch, nibble.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Piece together: To assemble something from many separate parts or pieces of information.
- Detectives pieced together the suspect's movements from security footage.
Piece out (archaic/less common): To extend or complete by adding parts.
- He pieced out his story with details from his imagination.
Related Idioms
Say one's piece: To express one's opinion frankly.
- Everyone at the meeting was given a chance to say their piece.
A piece of the action: A share in an activity, especially a profitable one.
- Investors all wanted a piece of the action in the new tech startup.
In one piece: Safely, without injury.
- We were relieved when the children returned from the hike in one piece.
Noun
- game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games
- he taught me to set up the men on the chess board
- he sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
- a share of something
- a slice of the company's revenue
- a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
- he was here for a little while
- I need to rest for a piece
- a spell of good weather
- a patch of bad weather
- a work of art of some artistic value
- this store sells only objets d'art
- it is not known who created this piece
- a distance
- it is down the road a piece
- a serving that has been cut from a larger portion
- a piece of pie
- a slice of bread
- a portable gun
- he wore his firearm in a shoulder holster
- an artistic or literary composition
- he wrote an interesting piece on Iran
- the children acted out a comic piece to amuse the guests
- an instance of some kind
- it was a nice piece of work
- he had a bit of good luck
- a musical work that has been created
- the composition is written in four movements
- a portion of a natural object
- they analyzed the river into three parts
- he needed a piece of granite
- an item that is an instance of some type;
- he designed a new piece of equipment
- she bought a lovely piece of china
- a separate part of a whole
- an important piece of the evidence
Verb
- repair by adding pieces
- She pieced the china cup
- eat intermittently; take small bites of
- He pieced at the sandwich all morning
- She never eats a full meal--she just nibbles
- join during spinning
- piece the broken pieces of thread, slivers, and rovings
- create by putting components or members together
- She pieced a quilt
- He tacked together some verses
- They set up a committee
- to join or unite the pieces of
- patch the skirt