Editing Ad hoc (section)

{{short description|Latin phrase signifying a solution meant to address one specific problem or task}}
{{About|the Latin phrase}}
{{titlelang|la}}
{{Distinguish|A priori and a posteriori}}
{{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 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.

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.