Etymology dictionary. 2014.
Importune — 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;… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
importune — 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 … Law dictionary
Importune — 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] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Importune — 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… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
importuné — 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 … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
importune — *beg, entreat, beseech, implore, supplicate, adjure Analogous words: tease, pester, plague, harry, *worry: hound, hector, badger (see BAIT): plead, appeal, sue (see under PRAYER) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
importune — [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*;… … New thesaurus
importuné — Importuné, [importun]ée. part … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
importune — ► 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)) … English terms dictionary
importune — [im΄pôr to͞on′, im΄pôrtyo͞on′; im΄pərto͞on′, im΄pərtyo͞on′; ] chiefly Brit [ im pôr′tyo͞on΄, im pôr′cho͞on΄] vt. importuned, importuning [Fr importuner < the adj.] 1. to trouble with requests or demands; urge or entreat persistently or… … English World dictionary
