extemporary

American  

[ik-stem-puh-rer-ee] / ɪkˈstɛm pəˌrɛr i /

adjective

1. extemporaneous; extempore.

2. Obsolete. sudden; unexpected.

---

Other Word Forms

• extemporariness
  noun
• extemporarily
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of extemporary

First recorded in 1600–10; extempore + -ary

Example Sentences

In the afternoon I heard Thekla's step behind my extemporary screen.

From The Grey Woman and other Tales by Gaskell, Elizabeth Cleghorn

Formerly, many of them possessed sufficient literary accomplishments to quote largely from esteemed poems, or even to compose extemporary verses, which they would often accompany with the lute.

From The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I. Commonly Called the Arabian Nights' Entertainments by Anonymous

Ennius, perceiving how much the Romans had been delighted with the rude satires poured forth in extemporary dialogue, thought it might be worth his pains to compose satires not to be recited but read.

From History of Roman Literature from its Earliest Period to the Augustan Age. Volume I by Dunlop, John

The extemporary character of their contrivance and expedients, is sufficiently apparent.

From The History of Tasmania, Volume I by West, John

With which, and in the same breath, I give you my word, he knelt down, as we all did, and began a very miserable jumble of an extemporary prayer.

From The Life of Charles Dickens, Vol. I-III, Complete by Forster, John