v.

1. To program a computer in a clever, virtuosic, and wizardly manner. Ordinary computer jockeys merely write programs; hacking is the domain of digital poets. Hacking is a subtle and arguably mystical art, equal parts wit and technical ability, that is rarely appreciated by non-hackers. See hacker.

2. To break into computer systems with malicious intent. This sense of the term is the one that is most commonly heard in the media, although sense 1 is much more faithful to its original meaning. Contrary to popular misconception, this sort of hacking rarely requires cleverness or exceptional technical ability; most so-called "black hat" hackers rely on brute force techniques or exploit known weaknesses and the incompetence of system administrators.

3. To jury-rig or improvise something inelegant but effective, usually as a temporary solution to a problem. See noun sense 2.

n.

1. A clever or elegant technical accomplishment, especially one with a playful or prankish bent. A clever routine in a computer program, especially one which uses tools for purposes other than those for which they were intended, might be considered a hack. Students at technical universities, such as MIT, are famous for performing elaborate hacks, such as disassembling the dean's car and then reassembling it inside his house, or turning a fourteen-story building into a giant Tetris game by placing computer-controlled lighting panels in its windows.

2. A temporary, jury-rigged solution, especially in the fields of computer programming and engineering: the technical equivalent of chewing gum and duct tape. Compare to kludge.

3. A cheap, mediocre, or second-rate practitioner, especially in the fields of journalism and literature: a charlatan or incompetent.
v1. I stayed up all night hacking, and when I finally looked out the window, it was 8am.

v2. Some script kiddie hacked into the web server and trashed the database.

v3. I didn't have time to do things properly, so I just hacked together something that worked.

n1. A computerized bartender that automatically mixes your drinks and debits your account? Now THAT'S a hack.

n2. This subroutine is just a hack; I'm going to go back and put some real code in later.

n3. That two-bit pulp writer? Ah, he's nothing but a hack.
by Greenie March 25, 2004
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a clever solution to a tricky problem
to hack is to mod or change something in an extrodinary way
by z-trip April 25, 2009
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Verb. Meaning to be able to handle/accept/put up with something, generally used in the negative.
Person a: Why did you quit the poetry club?

Person b: I couldn't hack the pretentious angst.
by aecm November 1, 2006
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Someone in the film industry, usually a director, who works on projects solely for financial reasons, rather than creative reasons. It is not about a filmmaker who is simply bad. That is a common misconception.
Jon Peters is such a hack, all he cares about making the film marketable, and not about the characters.
by ajhoax October 2, 2008
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A popular way to catch a ride in more so the NorthEastern side of the nation, in large innercities of high concentration. The person usually stands on the road and says something to the effect "Yo, you got me on a hack, 'round there to a nearby location?" to the driver of the car.

If accepted the driver becomes a temporary cab driver, and usually the hackee is suppposed to give directions, although they are usually trying to be cool, and just point like some dumbasses.

At the completion you give the driver like a small bill like a $5 or $10.

As I said popular in the New York, Philidelphia, and Baltimore regions of innercities. No offense but usally ghettos.
Yo, let me get a hack.
Where ya goin?
Up da block.
A'ight. You gotta gimme Seven tho'. I need me a sandwhich bra'
Aigh't
by Siguro ka ba? April 12, 2006
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A taxi driver in any city, not necessarily New York. In NYC, hack can also refer to a livery cab driver (cabs that drive in bad neighborhoods where taxis usually don't).
The TV show Hack takes place in Philadelphia.
by Nutmegger February 14, 2004
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n. two or three holes "hacked" into the ice at each end of an ice curling rink to give the sweepers somewhere to rest their brooms. Also:

v. what smokers do while curling, which is one of the few Olympic sports where smoking is allowed during the game.

..............................
Throw some end-raise take-out weight and I'll sweep from the hack!

Hurry hard!
by gnostic1 October 3, 2011
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