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stopgap

noun
/ˈstɒpɡæp/UK/ˈstɑpˌɡæp/US

Etymology

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.

  1. derived from *ǵʰeh₂-✻ — “to open wide, gape”
  2. derived from *gapōną✻
  3. derived from gap — “an empty space, gap, chasm”
  4. inherited from gap//gappe
  5. compounded as stopgap — “stop + gap”

Definitions

  1. That which stops up or fills a gap or hole.

    • [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. Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech

    Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech; a filled pause or filler.

  3. A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained

    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.

    • The small company used their old product with a few kludged enhancements as a stopgap until they could develop a new product.
    • Perhaps I shall be told that this wintry exhibition is a mere stopgap and makeshift, until a fresh supply of bright new paintings can be procured, and that it is ultra vires to obtain such for love or money before the merry month of May.
    • It is often argued that the HST saved BR's InterCity market. It was only ever intended as a stopgap, but it proved to be a winner.
  4. ›+ 4 more definitions

    1. Short-term

      Short-term; temporary.

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

    2. Filling a gap or pause.

    3. To stop up or fill (a physical gap or hole, or a hiatus).

    4. To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can…

      To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for stopgap. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA