† ˈparcelmeal, adv. Obs.
[f. parcel n. + -meal.]
By ‘parcels’ or portions; in small portions at a time; bit by bit, piecemeal.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. iii. 72 Men..þat most harm worchen, To þe pore people þat percel-mel buggen. 14.. Chaucer's Pars. T. ¶932 (Petw. MS.) Þow shalt schryve þe of alle þi synnes to oo man and nouȝt parcell mele [so Lansd. MS.; other MSS. a parcel] to oon man and parsel mele to a noþer man. 1476 Will of Crosby (Somerset Ho.), Ley down the said C li. parcelemele as the werkes thereof go forthward. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Matt. ii. 26 Which in time and by parsel meale, should be promulgated. 1596 Bp. W. Barlow Three Serm. ii. 64 We will..examine them parcell meale. |