ad libitum

American  

[ad lib-i-tuhm, ahd lib-i-toom] / æd ˈlɪb ɪ təm, ɑd ˈlɪb ɪˌtʊm /

adjective

1. at one's pleasure.

2. Music. not obligatory or indispensable. ad lib.

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ad libitum British  

/ ˈlɪbɪtʊm, -təm /

adjective

1. Often shortened to: ad lib.  music (to be performed) at the performer's discretion

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Etymology

Origin of ad libitum

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1695–1705

Example Sentences

In the experiment, the mice on the ad libitum schedule gained weight and experienced metabolic dysfunction, whereas the mice on time restricted feeding did not.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2023

Half of the mice ate all their food in 8 hours during the night, as mice usually do, while the other half ate ad libitum, anytime they wanted.

From Salon • Oct. 9, 2022

This form of husbandry, known as ad libitum feeding, is cheap and convenient since animal technicians need only check the hoppers from time to time to make sure they haven’t run dry.

From Slate • Nov. 16, 2011

Non est inventus ad libitum scape goatum non comeatibus in swampo.

From Time Magazine Archive

His garments were splendid, and of the world, partly Turkish, and partly ad libitum.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846 by Various