I. ˈaˌjəŋ(k)t noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin adjunctum, from neuter of adjunctus
1.
a. : something joined or added to another thing but not essentially a part of it
meter and rhyme are not mere adjuncts of poetry — Samuel Alexander
: an accompaniment or auxiliary to another thing
road building … bridge building became necessary adjuncts of warfare — Lewis Mumford
b. : a valuable individual quality or attribute
temperance is an adjunct only of the wise
2. logic : an accidental or nonessential quality or characteristic (as the particular color of a body)
3. : a word or word group that qualifies, amplifies, or completes the meaning of another word or other words and is not itself one of the principal structural elements in its sentence
in the sentence “most children eat heartily”, most is an adjunct to the subject children, and heartily is an adjunct to the predicate verb eat
4. : a person associated with or assisting another in some duty or service : associate
5. : adjuvant b
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin adjunctus, past participle of adjungere to add, join — more at adjoin
1. : added or joined as an accompanying object or circumstance
though that my death were adjunct to my act, by heaven, I would do it — Shakespeare
2. : added or accompanying in a subordinate capacity ; specifically : attached to a faculty or staff as a temporary member having for the time of his appointment the duties, privileges, and remuneration indicated by his rank
adjunct psychiatrist
adjunct associate professor
— see adjunct professor
• ad·junct·ly adverb