Definition of "piecewise"

piecewise

adverb
not comparable
1. In terms or by means of pieces; a piece at a time.
  Quotations
  One could even do the recount piecewise, starting with the most questionable regions.
  2006 August 13, “LETTERS; Practical Method for Mexican Vote Recount”, in Los Angeles Times
2. (mathematics) Throughout separate parts, but not necessarily throughout the whole