improvise
im·pro·vise (im′prə vīz′)
transitive verb, intransitive verb improvised -·vised′, improvising -·vis′·ing
- to compose, or simultaneously compose and perform, on the spur of the moment and without any preparation; extemporize
- to bring about, make, or do on the spur of the moment to improvise a solution to a problem
- to make, provide, or do with the tools and materials at hand, usually to fill an unforeseen and immediate need to improvise a bed out of leaves
Etymology: Fr improviser < It improvvisare < improvviso, unprepared < L improvisus, unforeseen < in-, not + provisus, pp. of providere, to foresee, anticipate: see provide
Related Forms:
- improviser im′·pro·vis′er noun or improvisor im′·pro·vi′·sor or improvisator im·prov′i·sa′·tor (-präv′i zāt′ər)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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