/ ˈpɑːsl; NAmE ˈpɑːrsl/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
( especially BrE ) ( NAmE usually pack·age ) something that is wrapped in paper or put into a thick envelope so that it can be sent by mail, carried easily, or given as a present :
There's a parcel and some letters for you.
She was carrying a parcel of books under her arm.
The prisoners were allowed food parcels.
2.
a piece of land :
50 five-acre parcels have already been sold.
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IDIOMS
see part noun
■ verb
( especially BrE ) ( -ll- , NAmE -l- ) [ vn ] parcel sth (up) to wrap sth up and make it into a parcel :
She parcelled up the books to send.
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PHRASAL VERBS
- parcel sth out
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (chiefly in the sense small portion ): from Old French parcelle , from Latin particula small part.