estented

estented /ɛsˈtɛn.tud/ 1. (adj.) Describing action, effort, or creation directed toward a prerequisite or prerequisites of a product, process, or goal, without any intention or ambition of realizing or completing the final product itself. The project was estented; the groundwork was done only to meet preliminary conditions, not to bring the final version into being. 2. (v.) (to estent) To work toward the prerequisite stages or components of something while lacking intention or ambition for its completion or realization. She estented the device by assembling the framework but never cared to see it function. Semantic Note An estented act recognizes and engages with the necessary steps that lead to completion—setup, preparation, foundation—but remains detached from the purpose or fulfillment of the finished result. Importantly, even if the prerequisite being worked on happens to be the final step that would complete the product, the act is still estented when carried out without intent or ambition toward the product itself. Completion may occur incidentally, but never intentionally. Etymology From constructed roots: est- (pseudo-Latin, from esse, “to be”) -tent (from Latin tendere, “to stretch, aim, reach toward”) → Literally, “to be stretched toward something” — indicating directed motion without desire or purpose in arrival. Synonyms perfunctory, provisional, inchoate, half-willed, proto- (prefix) Antonyms intentional, purposeful, driven, resolved