Adjuncte

Adjuncte is a term used in various fields, most often referring to two related concepts in linguistics and education. The word adjunct derives from Latin adjunctus, meaning joined or attached, and in English appears as adjunct with the plural adjuncts. In other languages or contexts, the form adjuncte may appear, but in standard English usage the plural is adjuncts.

In linguistics, an adjunct is an optional element that adds information to a clause without being required by its syntactic structure. Adjuncts function as modifiers that describe manner, place, time, degree, or other circumstances. They are typically realized as adverbial phrases, including prepositional phrases or adverbs, and can often be moved, omitted, or reordered without compromising grammaticality. Adjuncts differ from complements, which are required to complete the meaning of the verb or sentence, and from core arguments that determine the event’s participants. Examples include “She arrived yesterday,” where “yesterday” is a temporal adjunct, and “He spoke softly in the library,” where “softly” and “in the library” are adjuncts describing manner and place.

In academia, adjunct refers to a part‑time or non‑tenure‑track instructor who teaches courses but is not a full‑time, permanent faculty member. Adjunct faculty typically have limited employment terms, benefits, and job security, and they may teach several courses across institutions. This use of adjunct emphasizes a practical, often contractual association with an institution rather than a formal, long‑term appointment.

Overall, adjuncte (or adjuncts) describe elements or roles that add or attach supplementary value, without being essential to the core structure.