fascicle

noun

Etymology: From Latin fasciculus, a diminutive of fascis (“bundle”); see also fasces. Doublet of fasciculus.

1. A bundle or cluster.
2. A bundle of skeletal muscle fibers surrounded by connective tissue.
3. A cluster of flowers or leaves, such as the bundles of the thin leaves (or needles) of pines.
4. A discrete bundle of vascular tissue.
5. A discrete section of a book issued or published separately, generally as a temporary measure while the work is in progress.

   “The OED [Oxford English Dictionary] was initially published in a series of 125 slim fascicles between the years 1884 and 1928. The first complete edition in ten volumes was published in 1928.”

   “I was inspired to prepare fascicles like this by the example of Charles Dickens, who issued his novels in serial form; he published a dozen installments of Oliver Twist before having any idea what would become of Bill Sikes!”