Origin: 1820–30; < F improviser, or its source, It improvisare (later improvvisare), v. deriv. of improviso improvised < L imprōvīsus, equiv. to im-im-2+ prōvīsus ptp. of prōvidēre to see beforehand, prepare, provide for (a future circumstance). See proviso
im·pro·vise (ĭm'prə-vīz') v.
im·pro·vised, im·pro·vis·ing, im·pro·vis·es
v.
tr.
To invent, compose, or perform with little or no preparation.
To play or sing (music) extemporaneously, especially by inventing variations on a melody or creating new melodies in accordance with a set progression of chords.
To make or provide from available materials: improvised a dinner from what I found in the refrigerator.
v.
intr.
To invent, compose, or perform something extemporaneously.
To improvise music.
To make do with whatever materials are at hand.
[French improviser, from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso, unforeseen, from Latin imprōvīsus : in-, not; see in-1 + prōvīsus, past participle of prōvidēre, to foresee; see provide.] im'pro·vis'er, im'pro·vi'sor n.
[im-pruh-vahyz] 
verb, -vised, -vis⋅ing.
