improviser

Forms

improviser^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Italian improvvisare (“to improvise”), recorded in Italian from 1547,^[2] a derivative of improvviso (“unforeseen, sudden”).^[2][3][4] The Italian adjective is from Latin imprōvīsus (“unforeseen”),^[2][3][5] formed with the negative prefix in- and prōvīsus, the past participle of prōvideō (“to foresee”), itself from prō- and videō (“to see”).^[3][5][6] Bloch and Wartburg date the French verb to 1660,^[7] as does the GLLF, which gives it first as an intransitive verb in Oudin.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record, in Oudin's French–Italian dictionary of 1642, gives the musical sense of the Italian word: to sing or compose without preparation.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

The object of the verb was first a piece of music; by 1779 it could also be a work in words, such as verse or a speech.^[3][4] The absolute use, “to improvise” at an instrument or in public, is cited from Mme de Staël in 1810.^[4]

From the early 19th century the verb left the arts: it meant to organize something on the spot and in haste (1829),^[3][4] and, with a person as object followed by a function, to make someone suddenly take on a post for which he was not prepared (1823, in the pronominal form).^[3] The pronominal s'improviser “to become, without preparation” is cited from Fromentin in 1862, and “to be done without preparation” from Michelet in 1847.^[4]

The noun improvisade (1731) “an improvised piece” was displaced by impromptu.^[3] Improvisateur is first found in 1765 in the form improvisteur,^[3] and improvisation in 1807, in Mme de Staël.^[7]

Timeline

• 1547 – The Italian verb improvvisare is recorded.^[2]
• 1642 – Oudin records improviser “to sing or compose without preparation”.^[2][3]
• 1731 – The derivative improvisade “improvised piece” appears.^[3]
• 1765 – Improvisteur, the first form of improvisateur, is recorded.^[3]
• 1779 – First used of a work in words as well as music.^[3][4]
• 1807 – Mme de Staël uses improvisation.^[7]
• 1823 – First recorded of putting someone suddenly into a post.^[3]
• 1829 – The sense “to organize hastily” appears.^[3][4]
• 1862 – S'improviser “to become without preparation” is cited from Fromentin.^[4]

Meanings

Verb

1. To compose or perform on the spot, without preparation (a speech, verse, music); also used without an object: improviser au piano.^[8][4][2]
2. To organize or arrange something at short notice and in haste: improviser un repas.^[8][4]
3. To make someone suddenly take on a function for which he or she is not prepared: on l'improvisa cuisinier.^[8][4]
4. (pronominal) To be done without preparation: un tel voyage ne s'improvise pas; also, to become something all at once: on ne s'improvise pas pilote.^[8][4]

Word family

• improvisateur
• improvisation

Related words

• voir
• Italian improvvisare
• Latin imprōvīsus

Usage notes

Littré notes that in the 16th century French, imitating Italian, also said à l'improvis.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g 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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
6. ^ a b Littré, Émile (1873–1877), Dictionnaire de la langue française, 4 vols. and supplement, Paris: Hachette
7. ^ a b c Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
8. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert