Definition of the word adjunct

The word "adjunct" has its roots in 15th-century Latin, where it was derived from the verb "jungere," meaning "to join" or "to unite." In Latin, the word "adjunctus" referred to something added or joined to something else. This sense of addition or connection was later adapted into Middle English as "adjunct," meaning an addition or supplement to something else. In academic contexts, the term "adjunct" specifically refers to a part-time or temporary faculty member who is hired to teach a particular course or set of courses, but is not a full-time or tenure-track professor. The term is thought to have originated in the mid-20th century, as universities began hiring more part-time instructors to meet growing enrollment demands without committing to full-time faculty positions. Today, the term "adjunct" is widely used in many fields and contexts to describe an addition or supplement to something else.