Hack — meaning in English

English meaning

• hack verb To cut or chop something roughly, without precision.
• kludge noun An improvised device, typically crudely constructed to test the validity of a principle before implementing a finished design.
• mince noun Meat that has been finely chopped or ground.

Senses

Hack is used for these senses in English:

• hack (computing, slang) An expedient, temporary solution, such as a small patch or change to code, meant to be replaced with a more elegant solution at a later date; a workaround.
• kludge (informal) Any construction or practice, typically crude yet effective, designed to solve a problem temporarily or expediently.
• mince (uncountable) Finely chopped meat; minced meat.

hack — full definition

1. verb To cut or chop something roughly, without precision.
2. verb To break into a computer system or account without authorization.
3. verb To find a clever, often improvised shortcut for solving a problem.
4. noun A clever shortcut, trick, or workaround.
5. noun A skilled but unglamorous or uncreative worker, especially a writer or programmer producing mediocre work for hire.

kludge — full definition

1. noun An improvised device, typically crudely constructed to test the validity of a principle before implementing a finished design.
2. noun Any construction or practice, typically crude yet effective, designed to solve a problem temporarily or expediently.
3. noun An amalgamated mass of unrelated parts.
4. noun A badly written or makeshift piece of software; a hack.

Related German words