I. ˈpē|smē(ə)l adverb
Etymology: Middle English pece-mele, from pece piece + -mele -meal
1. : one piece at a time : by degrees : little by little : gradually
has achieved the real substance of independence gradually and piecemeal — H.R.Lieberman
2. : in pieces or fragments : apart
the beasts will tear thee piecemeal — Alfred Tennyson
II. noun
: fragment — usually used with by
we know … by piecemeal and accumulation — J.H.Newman
III. adjective
: done, made, or accomplished piece by piece or in a fragmentary way : gradual
engaged in piecemeal attacks upon discrimination — Collier's Year Book
IV. transitive verb
: to divide piecemeal : separate into pieces