c. 1300 (originally two words), from piece (n.) + Old English mælum "at a time," dative plural of mæl "appointed time, food served" (see meal (n.1)). The second element once was more commonly used, as in Old English styccemælum "bit by bit," gearmælum "year by year." One-word form from 15c.
权威例句
1. It was built piecemeal over some 130 years.
它是在差不多130年的时间里一点一点地建造起来的。
2. a piecemeal approach to dealing with the problem
全无章法的解决问题的方式
3. A lack of narrative drive leaves the reader with piecemeal vignettes.
述缺乏吸引力,读者读到的只是一些支离破碎的片段.
4. Let's settle the matter at one stroke , not piecemeal.
把这事一气儿解决了吧, 别零敲碎打了.
5. Instead of the government's piecemeal approach, what is needed is a radical shake-up of 16-19 education.