patchwork

[ pach-wurk ]
/ ˈpætʃˌwɜrk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR patchwork ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

something made up of an incongruous variety of pieces or parts; hodgepodge: a patchwork of verse forms.
work made of pieces of cloth or leather of various colors or shapes sewed together, used especially for covering quilts, cushions, etc.

adjective

resembling a patchwork, especially in being makeshift, irregular, or improvised: a patchwork policy of dispensing foreign aid.

verb (used with object)

to make as patchwork: She specializes in patchworking skirts.
to assemble or connect in making patchwork: to patchwork neckties into bedspreads.

Origin of patchwork

First recorded in 1685–95; patch1 + work

OTHER WORDS FROM patchwork

patch·work·y, adjective

Words nearby patchwork

patch-up, patchen, patchogue, patchouli, patchstand, patchwork, patchy, patd, patd., pate, patella

Words related to patchwork

jumble, plaid, mishmash, tartan, salmagundi, hash, salad, confusion, muddle, medley, stew, miscellany, pastiche, disorder, check, olio

Example sentences from the Web for patchwork

British Dictionary definitions for patchwork

patchwork
/ (ˈpætʃˌwɜːk) /

noun

needlework done by sewing pieces of different materials together
something, such as a theory, made up of various parts a patchwork of cribbed ideas