The American HeritageĀ® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
v. To do or perform (something) without prior preparation or practice: extemporized an acceptance speech.
verb-intransitive. To perform an act or utter something in an impromptu manner; improvise: "bravely demonstrating his ability to extemporize intelligently” ( William Safire).
v. To do something, particularly to perform or speak, without prior planning or thought; to act in an impromptu manner; to improvise.
v. To do, create, improvise, adapt, or devise in an impromptu or spontaneous manner.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
verb-intransitive. To speak extempore; especially, to discourse without special preparation; to make an offhand address.
v. To do, make, or utter extempore or off-hand; to prepare in great haste, under urgent necessity, or with scanty or unsuitable materials
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
To make or provide for a sudden and unexpected occasion; prepare in haste with the means within one's reach: as, to extemporize a speech or a dinner; to extemporize a couch or a shelter.
Specifically To compose without premeditation on a special occasion: as, he extemporized a brilliant accompaniment.
To speak extempore; speak without previous study or preparation; discourse without notes or written draft.
To sing, or play on an instrument, composing the music as it proceeds; improvise. See improvise.
Also spelled extemporise.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
v. perform without preparation
v. manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
Word Usage
"I'm discovering that I like Danilaw a lot -- he's got the ability to extemporize political speeches like a trained skald and he's also pretty funny."