parceled

Parceled is the past tense and past participle of the verb parcel, meaning to wrap, package, or enclose something as a parcel; to separate a larger quantity into smaller packages for mailing or handling. The term is also used in a broader sense to divide or distribute something into portions, as in parcels of land. In real estate and planning, to parcel a tract of land means to divide it into multiple lots or parcels for development or sale. The past tense is used in shipping contexts, as in parceled goods, while the phrase par c el led out is used in a distributive sense for land or resources. Spelling varies by dialect: parceled is standard American English; parcelled is standard British English.

Etymology: The noun parcel comes from Old French parcelle, a diminutive of parc, meaning a piece or portion, related to the idea of a divided portion. The verb sense to divide into parcels emerged from that subdivision sense and the packaging meaning of the noun.

Usage and contexts: In logistics, parceled goods refer to items prepared and sent as individual shipments. In land use and real estate, parceling a tract of land yields smaller parcels or lots for separate ownership or development. In historical or legal writing, parcels may be described as having been parceled out among heirs or buyers.

See also: Parcel (package), Parceling (land), Parcelization.