improvisation

Forms

improvisation f (plural improvisations)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French improviser + -ation.^[2][1][3] The verb improviser is from Italian improvvisare, from improvviso (“unforeseen”), itself from Latin improvīsus.^[4] Littré compares improvvisazione.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Madame de Staël uses it in Corinne (1807), both for an improvised work and for the art of improvising.^[2][6][4]

Semantic evolution

The word is used especially in music: in jazz, from the mid-20th century, improvisation collective and the clipped form impro.^[6][7] In its general sense it has taken on the pejorative value of the verb, of something done without preparation.^[6] Larousse also records a theatre technique in which the actor performs something unforeseen.^[8]

Timeline

• 1807 – First record, in Madame de Staël's Corinne.^[2][4]
• mid-20th century – Improvisation collective and impro in jazz.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. The act or art of improvising.^[7][8]
2. Something improvised: une improvisation sur un thème.^[7]
3. (music) Spontaneous composition and performance that is neither prepared nor written down, as in jazz: improvisation collective.^[8][7]
4. (theatre) A technique in which the actor performs something unforeseen.^[8]

Related words

• improviser
• improvisateur
• impro
• improviste

Usage notes

The clipped form impro is familiar.^[7][6]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
5. ^ Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
6. ^ a b c d e Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)