Ad libitum

Ad libitum is a Latin phrase that means "at one's pleasure" or "as you desire". It is often shortened to "ad lib" and is commonly used in various fields such as music, animal behavior, and dietetics.

Music

In music, ad libitum indicates that the performer has the liberty to change or omit parts of the composition. This can include improvisation, embellishments, or variations of the melody, rhythm, or tempo. The use of ad libitum in music dates back to the Baroque period, where it was common for performers to add their own embellishments to the written music.

Animal Behavior

In animal behavior, ad libitum sampling is a method of data collection. The observer records behaviors of interest whenever they occur, without a predetermined schedule. This method is often used in ethology, the study of animal behavior, and allows for the observation of spontaneous behaviors.

Dietetics

In dietetics, an ad libitum diet refers to a diet in which the individual is allowed to eat and drink as much as they want. This is often used in research studies to compare the effects of different types of diets on health outcomes.

See Also

• Improvisation
• Ethology
• Diet (nutrition)