Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Origin: make shift 'to make efforts, try all methods, manage to do something' (15-19 centuries)

makeshift

 adjective
     
make‧shift
made to be used for a short time only when nothing better is available:
The refugees slept in makeshift tents at the side of the road.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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