■ noun
1》 a portion of an object or of material produced by cutting, tearing, or breaking the whole.
2》 an item used in constructing something or forming part of a set; a component.
↘an instance or example: a crucial ~ of evidence.
3》 a musical or written work or artistic creation: a ~ of music.
4》 a figure or token used to make moves in a board game.
↘ Chess a king, queen, bishop, knight, or rook, as opposed to a pawn.
5》 a coin of specified value: a 10p ~.
6》 informal, chiefly N. Amer. a firearm.
7》 informal a woman.
8》 Scottish a sandwich or other item of food taken as a snack.
■ verb
1》 ( ~ something together ) assemble something from individual parts.
2》 ( ~ something out ) archaic extend something.
3》 archaic patch (something).
Phrases
go to ~s become so nervous or upset that one is unable to function normally.
in one ~ unharmed or undamaged.
( all ) of a ~ entirely consistent.
~ by ~ in slow and small stages.
~ of water a small lake or pond.
~ of work informal a person of a specified kind, especially an unpleasant one.
say one's ~ give one's opinion or make a prepared statement.
tear (or pull ) someone/thing to ~s criticize someone or something harshly.
Derivatives
~r noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. ~ (cf. med. L. pecia , petium ), of obscure ultimate origin.