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Minor improvements for clarity and readability. Added brief mention of ad hoc usage in everyday language. Expanded example of purpose-specific equations to include science. Slight rewording for improved flow and precision (e.g., "designed for" instead of "for", "collaboration" instead of "banding together").
 
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{{short description|Latin phrase signifying a solution meant to address one specific problem or task activities action solving this device action and my email address is to be Asia Pacific region by Android activities action active setting complete}}
{{short description|Latin phrase signifying a solution meant to address one specific problem or task}}
{{About|the Latin phrase}}
{{About|the Latin phrase}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Distinguish|A priori and a posteriori}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
⚫
'''''Ad hoc''''' is a [[List of Latin phrases|Latin phrase]] meaning literally {{`}}'''for this'''{{`}}. In [[English language|English]], it typically signifies a solution designed for a specific purpose, problem, or task rather than a [[Generalization|generalized]] solution adaptable to collateral instances (compare with ''[[a priori and a posteriori|a priori]]'').


⚫
Common examples include ad hoc [[committee]]s and commissions created at the national or international level for a specific task, and the term is often used to describe arbitration (ad hoc arbitration). In other fields, the term could refer to a military unit created under special circumstances (see ''[[task force]]''), a handcrafted [[network protocol]] (e.g., [[ad hoc network]]), a temporary collaboration among geographically-linked franchise locations (of a given national brand) to issue advertising coupons, or a purpose-specific [[equation]] in mathematics or science.
⚫
'''Ad hoc''' is a [[List of Latin phrases|Latin phrase]] meaning literally 'to this'. In English, it typically signifies a solution for a specific purpose, problem, or task rather than a [[Generalization|generalized]] solution adaptable to collateral instances. (Compare with ''[[a priori and a posteriori|a priori]]''.)


⚫
Ad hoc can also function as an adjective describing temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem, the tendency of which has given rise to the noun ''[[Adhocracy|adhocism]]''.<ref>American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, 2nd Edition</ref> This concept highlights the flexibility and adaptability often required in problem-solving across various domains.
⚫
Common examples are ad hoc [[committee]]s 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]].


In everyday language, "ad hoc" is sometimes used informally to describe improvised or makeshift solutions, emphasizing their temporary nature and specific applicability to immediate circumstances.
⚫
Ad hoc can also be an adjective describing the temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem, the tendency of which has given rise to the noun ''adhocism''.<ref>American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, 2nd Edition</ref>


==Styling==
==Styling==
Style guides disagree on whether Latin phrases like ad hoc should be italicized. The trend is not to use italics.<ref>Yateendra Joshi, " [https://www.editage.com/insights/latin-phrases-in-scientific-writing-italics-or-not Latin phrases in scientific writing: italics or not]", ''editage Insights'', January 14, 2014</ref> For example, ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'' recommends that familiar Latin phrases that are listed in the ''[[Webster's Dictionary]]'', including "ad hoc", not be italicized.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grammarpartyblog.com/2012/02/23/when-to-italicize-foreign-words-and-phrases/ |title=When to italicize foreign words and phrases |publisher=Grammarpartyblog.com |date=2012-02-23 |access-date=2016-01-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.economist.com/style-guide/italics |title=Italics |work=The Economist |access-date=2016-01-06}}</ref>
Style guides disagree on whether Latin phrases like ad hoc should be italicized. The trend is not to use italics.<ref>Yateendra Joshi, " [https://www.editage.com/insights/latin-phrases-in-scientific-writing-italics-or-not Latin phrases in scientific writing: italics or not]", ''editage Insights'', January 14, 2014</ref> For example, ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'' recommends that familiar Latin phrases that are listed in the ''[[Webster's Dictionary]]'', including "ad hoc", not be italicized.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://grammarpartyblog.com/2012/02/23/when-to-italicize-foreign-words-and-phrases/ |title=When to italicize foreign words and phrases |publisher=Grammarpartyblog.com |date=2012-02-23 |access-date=2016-01-06 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622140057/https://grammarpartyblog.com/2012/02/23/when-to-italicize-foreign-words-and-phrases/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/style-guide/italics |title=Italics |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=2016-01-06}}</ref>


==Hypothesis==
==Hypothesis==
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==In the military==
==In the military==
[[File:Changing of the Guard parade Ottawa.JPG|thumb|The [[Ceremonial Guard]] parading in [[Ottawa]]. The CG is an ad hoc unit of the [[Canadian Forces]].]]
[[File:Changing of the Guard parade Ottawa.JPG|thumb|The [[Ceremonial Guard (Canada)|Ceremonial Guard]] parading in [[Ottawa]]. The CG is an ad hoc unit of the [[Canadian Forces]].]]
In the military, ad hoc units are created during unpredictable situations, when the cooperation between different units is suddenly needed for fast action, or from remnants of previous units which have been overrun or otherwise whittled down.
In the military, ad hoc units are created during unpredictable situations, when the cooperation between different units is suddenly needed for fast action, or from remnants of previous units which have been overrun or otherwise whittled down.


==In governance==
==In governance==
In national and sub-national governance, ad hoc bodies may be established to deal with specific problems not easily accommodated by the current structure of governance or to address multi-faceted issues spanning several areas of governance. In the UK and other [[Commonwealth of Nations|commonwealth]] countries, ad hoc [[Royal Commission]]s <ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/258957.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 May 2021|date=27 October 2008|title=Royal commissions }}</ref> may be set up to address specific questions as directed by parliament.
In national and sub-national governance, ad hoc bodies may be established to deal with specific problems not easily accommodated by the current structure of governance or to address multi-faceted issues spanning several areas of governance. In the UK and other [[Commonwealth of Nations|commonwealth]] countries, ad hoc [[Royal Commission]]s <ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/258957.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=4 May 2021|date=27 October 2008|title=Royal commissions }}</ref> may be set up to address specific questions as directed by [[parliament]].


==Networking==
==Networking==
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* ''[[Ad infinitum]]''
* ''[[Ad infinitum]]''
* ''[[Ad libitum]]''
* ''[[Ad libitum]]''
* [[Adhocracy]]
* [[Democracy]]
* [[Democracy]]
* [[Heuristic]]
* [[House rule]]
* [[House rule]]
* [[Russell's teapot]]
* [[Russell's teapot]]
Line 44: Line 49:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* {{citation |author-last=Howard |author-first=R. |year=2002 |title=Smart Mobs: the Next Social Revolution |publisher=[[Perseus]]}}
* {{citation |author-last=Rheingold|author-first=Howard. |year=2002 |title=Smart Mobs: the Next Social Revolution |publisher=[[Perseus]]}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Wiktionary-inline|ad hoc|ad hoc}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline|ad hoc|ad hoc}}

[[Category:Latin words and phrases]] <!-- Not sure why this is here: this can either be temporary or pentameter solutions to the aforementioned -->
[[Category:Latin words and phrases]] <!-- Not sure why this is here: this can either be temporary or pentameter solutions to the aforementioned -->

Latest revision as of 23:17, 28 June 2024

This article is about the Latin phrase. For other uses, see Ad hoc (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with A priori and a posteriori.

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

Common examples include ad hoc committees and commissions created at the national or international level for a specific task, and the term is often used to describe arbitration (ad hoc arbitration). In other fields, the term could refer to a military unit created under special circumstances (see task force), a handcrafted network protocol (e.g., ad hoc network), a temporary collaboration among geographically-linked franchise locations (of a given national brand) to issue advertising coupons, or a purpose-specific equation in mathematics or science.

Ad hoc can also function as an adjective describing temporary, provisional, or improvised methods to deal with a particular problem, the tendency of which has given rise to the noun adhocism.[1] This concept highlights the flexibility and adaptability often required in problem-solving across various domains.

In everyday language, "ad hoc" is sometimes used informally to describe improvised or makeshift solutions, emphasizing their temporary nature and specific applicability to immediate circumstances.

Styling

[edit]

Style guides disagree on whether Latin phrases like ad hoc should be italicized. The trend is not to use italics.[2] For example, The Chicago Manual of Style recommends that familiar Latin phrases that are listed in the Webster's Dictionary, including "ad hoc", not be italicized.[3][4]

Hypothesis

[edit]
Main article: Ad hoc hypothesis

In science and philosophy, ad hoc means the addition of extraneous hypotheses to a theory to save it from being falsified. Ad hoc hypotheses compensate for anomalies not anticipated by the theory in its unmodified form.

Scientists are often skeptical of scientific theories that rely on frequent, unsupported adjustments to sustain them. Ad hoc hypotheses are often characteristic of pseudo-scientific subjects such as homeopathy.[5]

In the military

[edit]
The Ceremonial Guard parading in Ottawa. The CG is an ad hoc unit of the Canadian Forces.

In the military, ad hoc units are created during unpredictable situations, when the cooperation between different units is suddenly needed for fast action, or from remnants of previous units which have been overrun or otherwise whittled down.

In governance

[edit]

In national and sub-national governance, ad hoc bodies may be established to deal with specific problems not easily accommodated by the current structure of governance or to address multi-faceted issues spanning several areas of governance. In the UK and other commonwealth countries, ad hoc Royal Commissions [6] may be set up to address specific questions as directed by parliament.

Networking

[edit]
Main article: Wireless ad hoc network

The term ad hoc networking typically refers to a system of network elements that combine to form a network requiring little or no planning.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, 2nd Edition
  2. ^ Yateendra Joshi, " Latin phrases in scientific writing: italics or not", editage Insights, January 14, 2014
  3. ^ "When to italicize foreign words and phrases". Grammarpartyblog.com. 23 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Italics". The Economist. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  5. ^ Carroll, Robert T. (23 February 2012), "Ad hoc hypothesis", The Skeptic's Dictionary, John Wiley & Sons, retrieved 27 May 2013
  6. ^ "Royal commissions". BBC. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2021.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Rheingold, Howard. (2002), Smart Mobs: the Next Social Revolution, Perseus
[edit]
  • The dictionary definition of ad hoc at Wiktionary
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