DictionarycobbleRough assembly
verb

cobble

To put together roughly from available parts.

We cobble together a shelf from leftover boards and brackets.

Etymology

Cobble developed from the shoe-repairing occupation named by cobbler. Repairing by patching supplied the broader image of assembling something roughly from the pieces that happen to be available.

More examples

  • She cobbled together dinner from leftovers in the fridge.
  • They are cobbling together a budget with incomplete figures.
  • He cobbles together costumes from old clothes.

Forms

cobble · cobbles · cobbled · cobbling

Similar words

assemble
Assemble does not imply rough work or makeshift materials.
improvise
Improvise emphasizes working without preparation rather than roughly assembling parts.