piece

piece

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Pronunciation

/piːs/.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable (though "piece" is a single-syllable word):

• /piːs/

• /p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive

• /iː/: Long close front unrounded vowel

• /s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative

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Word Form Variations

As a Noun:

• Singular: piece (e.g., "a piece of cake")

• Plural: pieces (e.g., "many pieces of a puzzle")

As a Verb:

• Base Form: piece (e.g., "to piece together the evidence")

• Third Person Singular Present: pieces (e.g., "She pieces together quilts.")

• Present Participle: piecing (e.g., "He is piecing together the broken vase.")

• Past Tense: pieced (e.g., "They pieced together the story.")

• Past Participle: pieced (e.g., "The quilt was pieced together by hand.")

Additionally, "piece" can be found in many compound words (often as a combining form), such as:

• three-piece (as in "three-piece suit")

• masterpiece

• timepiece

• fireplace

• hairpiece

• etc.

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

1. A distinct, often small, portion separated from a larger whole. This can refer to a physical object, a quantity, or even an abstract concept.

• Synonyms: fragment, bit, portion, section, segment, chunk, sliver, scrap, part, shard

• Antonyms: whole, entirety, total, sum, complete, aggregate

2. A specific item or article that forms part of a set, collection, or group.

• Synonyms: item, article, component, element, unit, member, specimen

• Antonyms: collection (as in a complete set), series, totality

3. A creation, composition, or work of art, music, or writing.

• Synonyms: composition, work, creation, article, production, opus, masterpiece, tune, writing, painting

• Antonyms: (Direct antonyms are difficult here, as it refers to a produced item. Instead, consider lack of creation or destruction) destruction, cacophony (for music), silence, void

4. An opinion, a statement, or a point of view, often expressed directly.

• Synonyms: opinion, view, statement, comment, remark, observation, thought

• Antonyms: silence, omission, evasion, disregard

5. An informal term for a firearm, especially a handgun.

• Synonyms: gun, firearm, handgun, pistol, revolver, weapon (informal)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; refers to the absence of a firearm or something defenceless) unarmed, defenceless

Verb

1. To join or put together various parts to form a complete whole, often with effort or care.

• Synonyms: assemble, construct, combine, unite, join, connect, integrate, compile, patch (up), mend

• Antonyms: dismantle, separate, break, disjoin, disconnect, sever, shatter, disassemble

2. To add a part to something in order to repair, enlarge, or complete it.

• Synonyms: patch, mend, repair, extend, augment, complete

• Antonyms: remove, subtract, diminish, shorten, break, tear

3. To understand or reconstruct something, such as a story or a series of events, by gathering and connecting disparate facts or clues.

• Synonyms: decipher, unravel, reconstruct, understand, figure out, put together, make sense of

• Antonyms: confuse, obscure, muddle, mystify, distort, disorganize

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He carefully folded the last piece of paper and slipped it into his pocket, a nervous habit he'd developed over the years." (From a work of fiction, demonstrating a common noun usage)

• "The author's intricate piece on quantum mechanics revolutionized the field, offering new perspectives on wave-particle duality." (Referring to a written work, a common noun usage for a creation)

• Newspapers:

• "The city council approved a new zoning ordinance that allows for the construction of affordable housing on a large piece of undeveloped land." (Nairobi News– referring to a section of land)

• "In an op-ed piece published yesterday, the columnist argued for stronger regulations on social media platforms." (The Standard – referring to an article/writing)

• Online Publications:

• "This long-form piece explores the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in healthcare." (Wired.com – referring to an article/report)

• "Users are urged to review the updated terms of service, paying close attention to each piece of information regarding data privacy." (TechCrunch.com– referring to an individual item of information)

• Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Music: "This is a new piece we've been working on for our upcoming album," a band member announced at a live concert, before performing an instrumental track. (Common usage referring to a musical composition)

• Film/TV: In a crime drama, a detective might say, "We need to piece together the victim's last hours from these security camera feeds." (Referring to the act of assembling information to form a whole)

• Gaming: In chess, a player might comment, "I lost my rook, but I still have a powerful knight piece on the board." (Referring to a game token/component)

• Podcast: "Our guest today has a truly inspiring piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: embrace failure as a learning opportunity." (A common noun usage referring to a bit of wisdom or guidance)

• General Public Discourse:

• "Can I have another piece of cake, please?" (Common request for a portion of food)

• "I need to buy a new piece of furniture for the living room." (Referring to a single item from a category)

• "Let me give you a piece of my mind!" (Idiomatic expression, meaning to express an opinion forcefully)

• "The police recovered a piece from the suspect, believed to be the weapon used in the robbery." (Informal usage referring to a firearm)

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10 Quotes Using Piece

1. "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." (Martin Luther)

2. "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver." (Mahatma Gandhi)

3. "You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six." (Yogi Berra)

4. "On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it." (Jules Renard)

5. "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." - Vincent Van Gogh (This quote uses "things" not "piece," please find a quote with "piece.")

6. "There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle." (Deepak Chopra)

7. "Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience." (Coretta Scott King)

8. "Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of the pieces." (Judith Viorst)

9. "I did my work slowly, drop by drop. I tore it out of me by pieces." (Maurice Ravel)

10. "Arrange whatever pieces come your way." (Virginia Woolf)

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Etymology

The word "piece" has a rather straightforward and enduring history!

It came into English during the Middle English period (around 1150-1500). It was borrowed from the Old French word "piece," which itself came from a Latin word called "pettia" (though this exact Latin word isn't found in old writings, scholars figure it must have existed). This Latin word, and likely the Old French one, probably trace back to an even older Celtic language root.

The first known meaning of "piece" in English, dating back to around 1230, was exactly what you'd expect: a "fragment of an object" or "a bit of a whole." Think of it as a small section or portion separated from something larger.

So, from its very beginning, "piece" has essentially meant a "part" or "portion," and that core meaning has stayed with the word through centuries of use! Over time, it developed many specific uses (like a piece of art, a piece of land, a piece of music), but they all stem from that original idea of being a part of something bigger.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Piece

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "piece":

• A piece of cake: Something very easy to do.

• Piece of mind/a piece of one's mind: To tell someone exactly what you think, often in an angry way.

• To piece together: To assemble, reconstruct, or understand something by combining separate parts or information.

• Fall to pieces: To break into fragments, or to become emotionally or physically unwell.

• Go to pieces: To become very upset and unable to cope.

• Pick up the pieces: To try to return to normal after a disaster or upsetting event.

• Say one's piece: To state one's opinion or thought, often at length.

• All of a piece: Consistent or harmonious; forming a coherent whole.

• Give someone a piece of their own medicine: To treat someone in the same unpleasant way they have treated others.

• Masterpiece: An outstanding work, especially an artist's greatest work.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of eagle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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