— extemporaneously , adv. — extemporaneousness, extemporaneity /ik stem'peuh reuh nee"i tee/ , n.
/ik stem'peuh ray"nee euhs/ , adj.
1. done, spoken, performed, etc., without special advance preparation; impromptu: an extemporaneous speech.
2. previously planned but delivered with the help of few or no notes: extemporaneous lectures.
3. speaking or performing with little or no advance preparation: extemporaneous actors.
4. made for the occasion, as a shelter.
[ 1650-60; extemporaneus on the spur of the moment. See EXTEMPORE, -AN, -EOUS ]
Syn. 1. 2. EXTEMPORANEOUS (EXTEMPORE), IMPROMPTU, IMPROVISED are used of expression given without preparation or only partial preparation. EXTEMPORANEOUS and IMPROMPTU may both refer to speeches given without any preparation: an extemporaneous ( impromptu ) speech. EXTEMPORANEOUS may also refer to a speech given from notes or an outline: extemporaneous lectures. IMPROMPTU also refers to poems, songs, etc., delivered without preparation and at a moment's notice. IMPROVISED is applied to something composed (recited, sung, acted), at least in part, as one goes along: an improvised piano accompaniment.
Ant. 1. memorized.