Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “improvisational” come from?

Improvisational derives from English improvisation, which comes from French improviser, ultimately from Latin improvisus meaning unforeseen, composed of the prefix in- and Latin pro- plus visus.

improvisational (English): Having the nature of an improvisation

Definitions

  1. Having the nature of an improvisation

Ancestry of “improvisational”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishimprovisationThe act or art of composing and making music,...
2Frenchimprovisationimprovisation
3French-ation-ation
4Middle French-ation-ation
5Old French-ation-ation
6Latin-ātiō—
7Latin-tiō—
8Latindissertātiō—
9Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
10Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
11Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
12Latincalceusshoe
13Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
14Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “improvisational”

  • improvisationally
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →