patchwork
patchwork Lexical Profile
patchwork Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A thing composed of many different, varied, or incongruous elements.
"From the airplane window, the countryside looked like a green and gold patchwork of small farms."
Needlework in which small pieces of cloth in different designs, colors, or textures are sewn together to form a larger fabric or quilt.
"My grandmother spent the winter teaching me the art of traditional patchwork."
• adjective
Composed of many different, often incongruous or uncoordinated elements.
"The organization relies on a patchwork system of outdated software and manual spreadsheets."
Made of small pieces of fabric of different colors and designs sewn together.
"She bought a vibrant patchwork jacket at the local craft market."
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 17th century from the combination of 'patch' (from Middle English pacche, meaning a piece of cloth) and 'work'. It originally referred strictly to needlework before broadening to describe any heterogeneous mixture.