Is there one word that means 'to temporarily join'?

Question

Is there a one-worded synonym for 'temporarily join'?

Examples:

• I want to temporarily join your team

Or a slightly different meaning;

• I want to temporarily join these two pieces of metal

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

The process of joining groups of humans and things are fairly distinct and probably call for different terms.

For humans, the verb substitute, or sub for short, may suit. The Macmillan Dictionary defines it as

[INTRANSITIVE] to do someone else's job for a short period of time; substitute for: Mark will substitute for me tomorrow.

For objects, the verb tack may be suitable. According to Collins, it means

to attach temporarily, as by sewing with long stitches

This can be applied to other materials, including metals, although some tacking processes (such as spot welding) may require a good bit of effort to reverse.

Answer 2

Hard to find one word that fits all you want but here are two words you can use in combinations or in proper context:

Hitch- to join something with a rope or to attach (a source of motive power) to a vehicle or instrument .(definition from merriam webster)

Patch - Connect by a temporary electrical, radio, or telephonic connection. (definition from oxford)

Examples:

My wagon was hitched to his van.

I am hitched to their team as a replacement.

You have to use your discretion when it comes to joining things like metals. You could say "I am bonding them for now" or "I am making a temporary joint." And when you means permanently you could say something ljke "I am welding them together."

Answer 3

This all depends on the context you're trying to use it in, but a few phrases come to mind:

• join forces
• meet
• take part in
• support

More generally, you might want to look up "join" in a thesaurus, which is where I got all of these phrases.

Answer 4

In your first context, the word

engage

would be appropriate, if not too formal sounding.

Answer 5

One term that might work, at least in the context given, is "shadow". This sense of the word is defined by oxforddictionaries.com as "[to] accompany (someone) in their daily activities at work in order to gain experience at or insight into a job".