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impromptu

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im⋅promp⋅tu

  [im-promp-too, -tyoo]
Use impromptu in a Sentence
–adjective
1. made or done without previous preparation: an impromptu address to the unexpected crowds.
2. suddenly or hastily prepared, made, etc.: an impromptu dinner.
3. improvised; having the character of an improvisation.
–adverb
4. without preparation: verses written impromptu.
–noun
5. something impromptu; an impromptu speech, musical composition, performance, etc.
6. a character piece for piano common in the 19th century and having, despite its title, a clear-cut form.
Origin:
1660–70; < F < L in promptū in readiness; see in, prompt

Synonyms:
1. See extemporaneous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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im·promp·tu   (ĭm-prŏmp'tōō, -tyōō)   
adj.  

  1. Prompted by the occasion rather than being planned in advance: an impromptu party.

  2. Spoken, performed, done, or composed with little or no preparation; extemporaneous: a few impromptu remarks. See Synonyms at extemporaneous.

adv.  With little or no preparation; extemporaneously.
n.  

  1. Something, such as a speech, that is made or done extemporaneously.

  2. Music A short composition, especially for the piano, performed in an offhand or extemporized style.


[French, from Latin in prōmptū, at hand : in, in; see in-2 + prōmptū, ablative of prōmptus, readiness, from past participle of prōmere, to bring forth; see prompt.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

impromptu 
1669 (adv.), 1764 (adj.), from Fr. impromptu (1659), from L. in promptu "in readiness," from in "in" + promptu, abl. of promptus "readiness," from pp. of promere "to bring out," from pro- "before, forward, for" + emere "to obtain" (see exempt).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia

impromptu

a 19th-century piano composition intended to produce the illusion of spontaneous improvisation. In keeping with this fundamental premise, there is no particular form associated with the impromptu, although ternary and rondo schemes are common. The style of the music is similar to that of other compositions of the period, with such designations as fantasie, caprice, and bagatelle.

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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