improvident 
improvident (im-prov'i-dent), a. [= Pg. im- 
jirovidente, < L. *improviden(t-)s, *inprovidcn(t-)s 
(inderiv.i>nprovidentiaa.ndeontr.impruden(t-)s: 
see imprudent), equiv. to improi-idus (> It. Pg. 
improvido = Sp. improvido), unforesighted, < in- 
priv. + providus, foresighted : see provident.] 
Not provident; wanting foresight; neglecting 
to provide for future needs or exigencies ; un- 
thrifty. 
The followers of Epimetheus are improvident, see not 
far before them, and prefer such things as are agreeable 
for the present. Bacon, Physical Fables, ii., Expl. 
When men well have fed, the blood being warm, 
Then are they most improvident of harm. Daniel. 
The colonists . . . abandoned themselves to improvi- 
dent idleness. Bancroft, Hist. U. S., I. 106. 
= Syn. Imprudent, shiftless, careless, prodigal. Sea wis- 
dom. 
improvidently (im-prov'i-deut-li), adv. With 
improvidence ; without foresight or forecast. 
A weak young man improvidently wed. 
Crabbe, Works, VIII. 5. 
improving (im-pro'ving), n. [Verbal n. of im- 
prove 1 , t\] The act of making improvement. 
Improving lease, in Scots lau; a lease of more than 
ordinary duration, granted for the sake of encouraging 
the tenant to make permanent improvements in the con- 
dition of the holding, in the hope of reaping the benefit 
of them. 
improving (im-pro'ving),^. . Tending to cause 
improvement; affording means or occasion of 
improvement; that maybe used to advantage. 
Life is no life without the blessing of an improving and 
an edifying conversation. Sir R. L'Estrange. 
Beneath the humorous exaggeration of the story I seemed 
to see the face of a very serious and improving moral. 
Lowell, Democracy. 
improvingly (im-pro'ving-li), adv. In an im- 
proving manner. 
improvisate (im-prov'i-sat), v. t. and i. ; pret. 
and pp. improvisated, ppr. improvisating. [< 
NL. as if "improvisatus, pp. of *improvisare, im- 
provise : see improvise.] To improvise. [Rare.] 
His [Gladstone's] extemporaneous resources are ample. 
Pew men in the House can improvisate better. 
W. Besant, Fifty Years Ago, p. 151. 
improvisate (im-prov'i-sat), a. [< NL. "impro- 
visatus, pp.: see the verb.] Unpremeditated; 
impromptu. [Rare.] 
improvisation (im-prov-i-sa'shon), n. [= F. 
improvisation = Sp. improvisation = Pg. im- 
provisacjdo, < NL. *improvisatio(n-), < "impro- 
visare, improvise: see improvise.] 1. The act 
of improvising; the act of composing poetry 
or music extemporaneously. 
Poverty in rhyme is one of the reasons why the talent 
of improvisation, so common and so astonishingly devel- 
oped in degree in Italy, is almost unknown in England 
and among ourselves. 
Q. P. Marsh, Lects. on Eng. Lang., xxiii. 
2. A product of extemporaneous composition; 
an impromptu poem or musical performance. 
Most of the Italian rispetti and stornelli seem to beim- 
promsations ; and to improvise in English is as difficult as 
to improvise in Italian is easy. Encyc. Brit., XIX. 272. 
improvisatize (im-pro-viz'a-tiz), v. ; pret. and 
pp. improvisatized, ppr. improvisatizing. [Irreg. 
< improvisate + -ize.] Same as improvisate. 
improvisator (im-prov'i-sa-tpr), . [= F. im- 
provisateur = Pg. improvisator = It. improv- 
visatore,<. f3\j.*imprmisator,<. *improcisare,im- 
provise: see improvise.] One who improvises ; 
an improviser. 
improvisators, n. Same as improvisator. 
improvisatorial (im-pro-viz-a-to'ri-al), a. [< 
improvisator + -(.] Relating to or having the 
power of extemporary composition, as of rimes 
or poems. 
Hence, in the deepest and truest sense, Scott, often 
called the most improvisatoriat, is the least improvisa- 
torial of writers. Athenceum, No. 3068, p. 197. 
improvisatory (im-pro-viz'a-to-ri), a. Same as 
improvisatorial. 
That improvisatory knack at repartee for which he 
[Samuel Foote] was already conspicuous in certain fash- 
ionable circles. Jon Bee, Essay on Samuel Foote. 
improvise (im-pro-viz' or -vez'), v. ; pret. and 
pp. improvised, ppr. improvising. [< F. impro- 
viser = Sp. Pg. improvisar = It. improcvisare, < 
NL. *improvisare, improvise, < L. improvisus, 
inprovisus(>lt. improvriso = Sp. Pg. improvise), 
unforeseen, < in- priv. + provisus, pp. of provi- 
dcre, foresee: see provide, provise.] I. traits. 
1. To compose and recite or sing without pre- 
meditation ; speak or perform extemporaneous- 
ly, especially verse or music. 2. To do or per- 
form anything on the spur of the moment for 
a special occasion; contrive or bring about in 
an offhand way. 
3022 
Charles attempted to improvise a peace. Motley. 
The young girlsof the country wreathe themselves into 
dances, and improvise the poetry of motion. 
Howells, Venetian Life, xvii. 
II. intrans. To compose verses or music ex- 
temporaneously; hence, to do anything on the 
spur of the moment or in an offhand way. 
Theodore Hook improrised in awonderful way thateven- 
ing; he sang a song, the burden of which was "Good- 
night," inimitably good, and which might have been writ- 
ten down. Gremlle, Memoirs, Jan. 15, 1835. 
improviser (im-pro-vi'zer or -ve'zer), . One 
who improvises ; an improvisator. 
improvisiont (im-pro-vizh'on), n. [< in- 3 + 
provision. Of. improvise.] Want of forecast; 
improvidence. 
The sad accidents which afterwards happened did not 
invade and surprise him, in the disadvantages of igno- 
rance or improcision. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835). I. 207. 
improvisot (im-pro-vl'so), a. [< L. improviso, 
on a sudden, prop. abl. of improvisus, unfore- 
seen: see improvise.] Not studied or prepared 
beforehand; impromptu; extemporaneous: as, 
"improviso translation," Johnson. 
improwisatore (im-pro-ve-za-to're), . ; pi. im- 
provvisatori (-to're). [It.: see improvisator.] 
Same as improvisator. 
improwisatrice (im-pro-ve-za-tre'che), n. ; pi. 
improvvisatrici (-chi). [It., fern, of improwisa- 
tore.] A woman who improvises. 
imprudence (im-pro'dens), n. [= F. imprudence 
= Sp. Pg. imprudenc'ia = It. imprudenza, im- 
prudenzia, < L. imprudentia, inprudentia, un- 
foresightedness, < impruden(t-)s, inpruden(t-)s, 
uuforesighted : see imprudent.] 1. The quali- 
ty of being imprudent; want of prudence, cau- 
tion, circumspection, or a due regard to con- 
sequences; heedlessness ; indiscretion; rash- 
ness. 
Good with bad were match'd, who of themselves 
Abhor to Join ; and, by imprudence mix'd, 
Produce prodigious births. Hilton, P. L., xi. 680. 
2. An imprudent act. 
It were a strange imprudence, choosingly, to entertain 
those inconveniencies. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 283. 
imprudent (im-pro'dent), a. [= F. imprudent 
= Sp. Pg. It. impru'dente, < L. impruden(t-)s, 
inprnden(t-)s, unforesighted, imprudent, < in- 
priv. + pruden(t-)s, foresighted, prudent: see 
prudent. Cf. improvident.] Not prudent ; want- 
ing prudence or discretion ; not careful of con- 
sequences; indiscreet; rash; heedless. 
And thus, by the imprudent and foolish hardines of the 
French earle, the Frenchmen were discomfited, and that 
valiant English knight ouermatched. 
Hakluyt's Voyages, II. 35. 
The spirit of the person was to be declared caitive and 
imprudent, and the man driven from his troublesome and 
ostentatious vanity. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 62. 
Syn. Incautious, careless, unadvised, inconsiderate. 
imprudently (im-pro'dent-li), adv. In an im- 
prudent manner; with imprudence. 
He so imprudently demeaned hymselfe that within 
shorte space he came into the handes of his mortall ene- 
mies. Hall, Hen. VI., an. 39. 
imp-treet (imp'tre), n. [ME. impe tre, ympe tre; 
< imp + tree.] A grafted tree. 
Loke, dame, to morwe thatow be 
Kigt here under this ympetre. 
Sir Orfeo, quoted in Amer. Jour. Philol., VII. 189. 
Apparently it is her sleeping under an ympe (or graft- 
ed) tree that gives the fairies power over Heurodys. 
Amer. Jour. Philol., VII. 190. 
impuberal (im-pu'be-ral), a. [< L. impubes, in- 
pubes (-puber-), not grown up (< in- priv. + 
pubes (pubcr-), grown up: see puberty), + -al.] 
Not having reached puberty. [Rare.] 
In impuberal animals the cerebellum is, in proportion 
to the brain proper, greatly less than in adult. 
Sir W. Hamilton. 
impuberty (im-pu'ber-ti), n. [< i-3 + puber- 
ty. Cf. impuberal.] The state of not having 
reached the age of puberty. 
impubic (im-pu'bik), a. [< L. impubes, inpti- 
bcs, not grown up, + -ic.] Below the age of 
puberty. 
impudence (im'pn-dens), M. [< ME. impudence, 
< OF. (also F.) impudence = Sp. Pg. impudcnci<( 
= It. imjiudenza, < L. impudentia, inpudentiti, 
shamelessness, < impuden(t-)s, iiipuden(t-)s, 
shameless: see impudent.] The character or 
quality of being impudent, (n) Want of modesty ; 
shamelessness; indelicacy. 
Kiny. What dar'st thou venture? 
II 'el. Tax of impiulence, 
A strumpet's boldness, a divulged shame. 
Shak., All s Well, ii. 1. 
(4) Impudent behavior ; brazenness ; effrontery ; insolence. 
impugnation 
Come, leave the loathed stage, 
And the more loathsome Age, 
Where pride and impudence (in fashion knit) 
Usurp the chair of wit ! 
/;. JoHson, Just Indignation of the Author. 
Off, my dejected looks : and welcome impudence 1 
My daring shall be deity, to save me. 
Fletcher (and another), False One, iv. 3. 
Well, for cool native impudence, and pure innate pride, 
you haven t your equal. Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, xxiv. 
=Syn. Impertinence, Impudence, Effrontery, Saucinesg, 
Pertness, Mudeness, audacity, insolence, assurance, pre- 
sumption, boldness, face. Impertinence is primarily non- 
pertinence, conduct not pertaining or appropriate to the 
circumstances, and is hence a disposition to meddle with 
what does not pertain to one, and more specifically un- 
mannerly conduct or speech. Impudence is unblushing 
impertinence manifesting itself in words, tones, gestures, 
looks, etc. K/runtery is extreme impudence, which is not 
abashed at rebuke, but shows unconcern for the opinion 
of others ; it is audacious and brazen-faced. Sauciness is 
a sharp kind of impertinence, chiefly in language, and pri- 
marily from an inferior. It is, in language, essentially the 
same with pertness, which, however, covers all indecorous 
freedom of bearing toward others ; pertness is forwardness 
inappropriate to one's years, station, or sex. Rudeness is 
the only one of these words seeming to refer primarily 
to character ; in this use it implies manners or language 
which might be expected from lack of culture or good 
breeding, and includes what is said or done from a de- 
sire to be offensive or uncivil. See arroyance. 
impudencyt (im'pu-den-si), re. 1. Lack of pu- 
dency; shamelessness; immodesty. 
We, viewing their incontinencie, should flye the lyke 
impudcncie, not follow the like excesse. 
Lyly, Euphues, Auat. of Wit, p. 98. 
2. Effrontery; insolence. 
Pray heaven she can get him to read ! he should do it 
of his own natural impudency. 
B. Jonson, Every Man in his Humour, iv. 1. 
impudent (im'pu-dent), a. [< ME. impudent = 
F. impudent = Sp. Pg. It. impudente, < L. impu- 
den(t-)s, inpuden(t-)s, shameless, < MI- priv. + 
puden(t-)s, ashamed: see pudent.] 1. Immod- 
est; shameless; brazen; indelicate. 
With that a Joyous fellowship issewd 
Of Minstrales making goodly meriment, 
With wanton Bardes, and Rymers impudent. 
Spenser, F. Q., III. xii. 5. 
A woman impudent and mannish grown 
Is not more loath 'd than an effeminate man. 
Shale., T. and C., iii. 3. 
2. Offensively forward in behavior; intention- 
ally disrespectful ; insolent ; possessed of un- 
blushing assurance. 
Nor that the calumnious reports of that impudent de- 
tractor . . . hath at all attached, much less dejected me. 
B. Jonson, Volpone, ii. 1. 
3. Manifesting impudence ; exhibiting or char- 
acterized by disrespect toward or disregard of 
others. 
There is not so impuder-t a thing in Nature as the sawcy 
Look of an assured Man, confident of Success. 
Conyreve, Way of the World, iv. 5. 
Apartments so decorated can have been meant only for 
. , . people for whom life was impudent ease and com- 
fort. H. James, Jr., Trans. Sketches, p. 203. 
=Svn. 2. Bold, bold-faced, brazen-faced, presumptuous, 
pert, rude, saucy. See impudence. 
impudently (im'pu-dent-li), adv. In an impu- 
dent manner ; insolently. 
At once assail 
With open mouths, and impudently rail. Sandys. 
impudicity (im-pu-dis'i-ti), u. [< F. impudi- 
cite, < ML. *i>npudicita(t-')s ; equiv. to It. impudi- 
cizia = Sp. Pg. impudicicia, < L. impitdicitia, 
inpudicitia, immodesty; < impudicus, inpudicus, 
immodest, < in- priv. + pudicus, modest, < pn- 
dere, feel shame.] Lack of pudicity; immod- 
esty; shamelessness. 
Many of them full of impudicitie and ribaudrie. 
Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 85. 
impugn (im-pun'), v. t. [Formerly also euipiign ; 
< ME. impugnen, inpugnen, < OF. (also F.) im- 
pugner = Pr. impugiiar, enpugnar, enipunhar = 
Sp. Pg. impugnar = It. impugnare, iwpinigart; 
< L. impugnare, inpugnare, attack, assail, im- 
pugn, < in, on, against, + pttynare, fight, < pug- 
na, a fight: see pugnacious. Cf. exjnign, op- 
pugn.] To attack by words or arguments ; 
contradict; assail; call in question ; gainsay. 
And which [what sort of] a pardoun Peres hadde alle the 
peple to conforte, 
And how the prest impugned it with two propre wordes. 
Piers Plowman (B), vii. 147. 
The Commons were insisting on severer measures 
against heresy, and still were im}>uffnin;i the laws and 
courts, by which only heresy could be extirpated. 
Stubbi, Medieval and Modern Hist., p. 282. 
impugnable (im-pu'na-bl), a. [= Sp. impugna- 
ble = It. impugiiabile; as impugn + -able.] Ca- 
pable of being impugned. 
impugnation (im-pug-na'shon), . [= F. im- 
pugnation = Pr. Sp. impugnacion = Pg. impiig- 
