ad_hoc-Latin_Phrase

Last updated Nov 4, 2021 Edit Source

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adjective uk/ˌæd ˈhɒk/ us/ˌæd ˈhɑːk/

• made or happening only for a particular purpose or need, not planned before it happens 特别的；专门的；临时安排的
  • an ad hoc committee/meeting 特别委员会／会议
  • We deal with problems on an ad hoc basis (= as they happen). 我们应对问题的方式是只要出现就随时解决。

Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning literally ‘to this’. In English, it typically signifies a solution for a specific purpose, problem, or task rather than a generalized solution adaptable to collateral instances. (Compare with a priori.)

Common examples are ad hoc committees and commissions created at the national or international level for a specific task. In other fields the term could refer to, for example, a military unit created under special circumstances (see task force), a tailor-made suit, a handcrafted network protocol (e.g., ad hoc network), a temporary banding together of geographically-linked franchise locations (of a given national brand) to issue advertising coupons, or a purpose-specific equation.