1798 Scots Mag. Dec. 838/2 Between the courses, a Franciscan monk, who had the gift of improvising, recited Spanish verses.

1832 W. Irving Alhambra I. 18 This talent of singing and improvising is frequent in Spain, and is said to have been inherited from the Moors.

1854 Era 1 Jan. 9/4 We could almost fancy the extempore buzz of Mr. Bee might bear comparison with the improvising power of Theodore Hook.

1951 Times 15 May 5/2 This improvising, this reliance on temporary expedients, which will serve for the moment but are not part of a carefully conceived and integrated long-term policy.

1997 G. Perry Impressionist Palette 64 A good cook uses only the freshest ingredients..but when the necessary ingredients aren't readily available, he or she has to do a little creative improvising.

2009 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 30 Jan. c3/4 He's keeping intact the jazz horn arrangements, Cuban tumbao bass lines and vocal choruses and improvising.

1828 London Lit. Gaz. 22 Mar. 188/2 A doggerel kind of improvising poet.

1855 W. M. Gibson Prison of Weltevreden 150 He knew a wealthy Chinaman, who possessed one of the improvising verse singers of the country, a curiosity to hear and see.

1928 Cent. Mag. May 24/1 This beautiful, gray, improvising songster has suffered in consequence from that day to this.

1958 Jrnl. Asian Stud. 17 338 The Congress Party position..is a pragmatic and improvising approach.

1991 N. Gordimer Jump & Other Stories (1992) 162 The weekend party invited to a lodge on a private game reserve will include the practical, improvising man..[and] the good-timer who keeps everyone drinking until late.

2013 Guardian 9 Feb. (Guide Suppl.) 29/4 The ever-alert bassist Eva Kruse is both a subtle improvising countermelodist and a resolute anchor.