While not commonly used words, to me they seem easily understood. Piecemeal, meaning something done in stages or bit by bit and all of a piece something that’s complete. I like that they are similar in nature, but clearly different. The few times I’ve had occasion to use either of these in conversation I got a bit giddy afterwords. I think it’s that they feel like “old words” somehow. Words that are no longer in common use, but equally as useful today as when they were first put into use. I like that. Have you used either of these? Do you think they have more current equivalents that are more effective? Do tell.
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Sue – I use the word piecemeal regularly, but I have never heard the phrase “all in a piece”, until now anyway. Thank you for bringing it to our attention.