MacGyver

MacGyver

See also: macgyver

English

Etymology

From a popular American television program with the same name, with the title character being someone of considerable scientific ingenuity. See MacGyver in Wikipedia.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /məˈɡaɪvə/
• (US) enPR: mə-gīʹvər, IPA^(key): /məˈɡaɪvɚ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

MacGyver (third-person singular simple present MacGyvers, present participle MacGyvering, simple past and past participle MacGyvered)

1. (transitive) To assemble or repair something by ingenious improvisation, using everyday items that would not usually be used for the purpose.

   Our car broke down and we didn't have any tools but Jim MacGyvered it with some toenail clippers and we were able to limp to the service station.

   No place to climb? MacGyver your own set-up in a power rack for rope pull-ups or rows. 14 March 2014

Synonyms

• jury-rig
• nigger-rig

Related terms

• MacGyverism

Translations

to jury-rig — see jury-rig