provisional
/pɹəˈvɪʒənəl/ adjective, noun
Forms provisionals Provo
- adjective Temporary, but with the intention of eventually becoming permanent or being replaced by a permanent equivalent. “Marsden and Jones were named in the provisional squad for the European Championships, to be confirmed before the 30 June deadline.”
- noun (philately) A postage stamp issued locally before an official issue is released.
- noun (dentistry) An interim denture.
- noun a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
Synonyms
Etymology
From provision + -al, or else from Middle French provisionnal (modern French provisionnel). Compare Latin prōvīsiōnālis.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Of the nature of a provision; serving as a provision for the time being; --used of partial or temporary arrangements; as, a provisional government; a provisional treaty.
Etymology [Cf. F. provisionnel.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “provisional”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details