phrase
Latin
Ad Hoc
lit. โfor thisโ
Improvised for a specific purpose, not part of a general plan.
Origin
A Latin construction meaning 'for this [particular thing].' Entered English via diplomatic and legal contexts ('an ad hoc committee').
Modern usage
Engineering, management, government โ anywhere structure is being contrasted with improvisation. Often mildly pejorative ('an ad hoc solution').
Tags
improvisation
structure