Importune
1Importune — Im por*tune ([i^]m p[o^]r*t[=u]n ), a. [F. importun, L. importunus; pref. im not + a derivative from the root of portus harbor, importunus therefore orig. meaning, hard of access. See {Port} harbor, and cf. {Importunate}.] 1. Inopportune;… …
2importune — im·por·tune /ˌim pȯr tün, tyün; im pȯr ˌtyün, chən/ vb tuned, tun·ing vt: to press or urge with troublesome persistence who solicits, requests, commands, importune s or intentionally aids another person to engage in conduct which constitutes an …
3Importune — Im por*tune , v. i. To require; to demand. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune. Shak. [1913 Webster] …
4Importune — Im por*tune , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Importuned} ([i^]m p[o^]r*t[=u]nd ); p. pr. & vb. n. {Importuning}.] [From {Importune}, a.: cf. F. importuner.] 1. To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent, unreasonable, or troublesome… …
5importuné — importuné, ée (in por tu né, née) part. passé d importuner. • Du bruit de ses exploits mon âme importunée, RAC. Alex. I, 2. • Il était moins sensible à l éclat du trône qu importuné des devoirs qu il impose, DUCLOS Hist. Louis XI, Oeuv. t. II …
6importune — (v.) 1520s, back formation from IMPORTUNITY (Cf. importunity), or else from M.Fr. importuner, from M.L. importunari to make oneself troublesome, from L. importunus unfit, troublesome, originally having no harbor (i.e. difficult to access ), from… …
7importune — *beg, entreat, beseech, implore, supplicate, adjure Analogous words: tease, pester, plague, harry, *worry: hound, hector, badger (see BAIT): plead, appeal, sue (see under PRAYER) …
8importune — [v] demand, insist appeal, ask, badger, beg, beseech, beset, besiege, con*, crave, dun, egg on*, entreat, goose*, harass, hound*, implore, invoke, nag, persuade, pester, plague, plead, pray, press, sell, solicit, supplicate, urge, work on*;… …
9importuné — Importuné, [importun]ée. part …
10importune — ► VERB 1) harass with persistent requests. 2) (usu. as noun importuning) approach to offer one s services as a prostitute. ORIGIN Latin importunari, from importunus (see IMPORTUNATE(Cf. ↑importunity)) …
