Crossword Genius

Bit by bit story spread (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

piecemeal

'bit by bit' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'story spread' is the wordplay.
'story' becomes 'piece' (eg a piece in a newspaper).
'spread' becomes 'meal' (a spread of food).
'piece'+'meal'='PIECEMEAL'

(Other definitions for piecemeal that I've seen before include "A bit at a time" , "Claim epee in gradual unsystematic way" , "Unsystematically" , "step by step" , "Bit by bit; unsystematic" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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