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ad lib - 7 dictionary results

ad lib

[ad lib, ad]
–noun
1. something improvised in speech, music, etc.: Was that joke part of your speech or an ad lib?
–adverb
2. at one's pleasure; without restriction.
3. freely; as needed; without stint: Water can be given to the patients ad lib.

Origin:
1810–20; see ad libitum

ad-lib

[ad-lib, ad-] verb, -libbed, -lib⋅bing, adjective
–verb (used with object)
1. to improvise all or part of (a speech, a piece of music, etc.): to ad-lib one's lines.
–verb (used without object)
2. to act, speak, etc., without preparation: Throughout the play he had to ad-lib constantly.
–adjective
3. impromptu; extemporaneous: ad-lib remarks to hecklers.

Origin:
1915–20, Americanism; v. use of ad lib


ad-libber, noun

ad lib.

ad lib   (ād lĭb')   
adv.  In an unrestrained manner; spontaneously.

[Short for ad libitum.]

ad lib 
1811, from L. ad libitum "at one's pleasure, as much as one likes" (1610), from libere "to please." First recorded as one word 1919 (v.), 1925 (n.).

Main Entry: ad lib
Pronunciation: (')ad-'lib
Function: adverb
: without restraint or imposed limit : as much or as often as is wanted ad lib —Science> —often used in writing prescriptions
ad lib
Latin ad libitum (at pleasure, speak without notes or script—that is, an unscripted comment)
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