Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Improvise"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Improvise \Im`pro*vise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Improvised}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Improvising}.] [F. improviser, it.
improvvisare, fr. improvviso unprovided, sudden, extempore,
L. improvisus; pref. im- not + provisus foreseen, provided.
See {Proviso}.]
1. To compose, recite, or sing extemporaneously, especially
in verse; to extemporize; also, to play upon an
instrument, or to act, extemporaneously.
2. To bring about, arrange, or make, on a sudden, or without
previous preparation.
Charles attempted to improvise a peace. --Motley.
3. To invent, or provide, offhand, or on the spur of the
moment; as, he improvised a hammer out of a stone.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Improvise \Im`pro*vise"\, v. i.
To produce or render extemporaneous compositions, especially
in verse or in music, without previous preparation; hence, to
do anything offhand.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
improvise
v : perform without preparation [syn: {improvize}, {ad-lib}, {extemporize},
{extemporise}]
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