See Also: makeshift(dictionary)
makeshift(dictionary)

makeshift (iou)



makeshift noun & adjective. M16.
[from make shift s.v. SHIFT noun.]
A. noun.
A shifty person, a rogue. M16-M19.
A temporary substitute, esp. of an inferior kind, an expedient. E19.
C. Lamb The cottage was a sorry antediluvian make-shift of a building. A. West Quinbury wouldn't do, even as a temporary makeshift.
The action of making shift; the state of being a temporary substitute, expediency. L19.
J. Galsworthy His marriage with herself but domestic makeshift. D. Welch The air of poverty and makeshift which hangs round expensive private schools in England.
b. adjective.
Shifty, roguish. Only in L16.
Of the nature of a makeshift, serving as a temporary substitute, esp. of an inferior kind; formed haphazardly; characterized by makeshifts. L17.
W. S. Churchill A makeshift administration..struggled ineptly with the situation. F. Astaire There were makeshift repairs with temporary fences and holes covered over with boards. H. Carpenter Temporary offices..had been found..and things were very makeshift there. G. Lord She'd made a makeshift stretcher out of the blanket.
makeshifty adjective of the nature of a makeshift, characterized by makeshift M19.