Ad Hoc

In modern English, the Latin term "ad hoc" is used to signify "for this purpose" or "specifically for this." Most dictionaries translate the Latin expression directly as "for this." The phrase "ad hoc" can be used to suggest that a solution developed for a specific issue or problem shouldn't be viewed as the standard solution to be applied in subsequent instances. For instance, a judge might issue a "ad hoc" decision after carefully considering the facts of the case and the particulars of the circumstance, but with the understanding that this decision won't be used as precedent to resolve situations of a similar sort in the future. The term "ad hoc" is frequently used in the phrase "ad hoc solution" in the context of software development to denote a particular and customised solution built to address the needs of a system or user that is offered.