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Stopgap

//ˈstɒpɡæp// adj, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Short-term; temporary. not-comparable

    "They put a stopgap solution in place, but need something more permanent."

  2. 2
    Filling a gap or pause. not-comparable
Noun
  1. 1
    That which stops up or fills a gap or hole. rare

    "[A] bit of ink and paper which has long been an innocent wrapping or stop-gap may at last be laid open under the one pair of eyes which have knowledge enough to turn it into the opening of a catastrophe."

  2. 2
    something contrived to meet an urgent need or emergency wordnet
  3. 3
    Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech; a filled pause or filler. figuratively
  4. 4
    A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution. figuratively

    "The small company used their old product with a few kludged enhancements as a stopgap until they could develop a new product."

  5. 5
    A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution.; A person appointed or hired to fill a position temporarily until a permanent appointment or hire can be made; a temp. figuratively, specifically

    "As witness the following. Mr Strudwick, the regular master of the form, happened on one occasion to be away for a couple of days, and a stop-gap was put in in his place. The name of the stop-gap was Mr Somerville Smith. He and Farnie exchanged an unspoken declaration of war almost immediately."

Verb
  1. 1
    To stop up or fill (a physical gap or hole, or a hiatus). transitive
  2. 2
    To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained. intransitive
  3. 3
    To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.; To work at a position temporarily until a permanent appointment or hire is made. intransitive, specifically

Etymology

Etymology 1

The noun is derived from stop (“to close or block (an opening)”) + gap, from the phrase to stop a gap. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, and the verb is derived from the noun.

Etymology 2

The noun is derived from stop (“to close or block (an opening)”) + gap, from the phrase to stop a gap. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, and the verb is derived from the noun.

Etymology 3

The noun is derived from stop (“to close or block (an opening)”) + gap, from the phrase to stop a gap. The adjective is from an attributive use of the noun, and the verb is derived from the noun.

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