also piece-work, "work done and paid for by measure or quantity" in contradistinction to work done and paid for by measure of time, 1540s, from piece (n.1) + work (n.) in the sense of "a distinct job or operation taken separately." Related: Pieceworker.
pie
piebald
piece
piece de resistance
piecemeal
piecework
pied
pied a terre
piedmont
Piedmont
piepowder