Category:Importune

Im`por*tune", a. Etym: [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; unseasonable. [Obs.]

2. Troublesome; vexatious; persistent; urgent; hence, vexatious on account of untimely urgency or perinacious solicitation. [Obs.] And their importune fates all satisfied. Spenser. Of all other affections it [envy] is the most importune and continual. Bacon.

importune Im`por*tune", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Importuned; p. pr. & vb. n. Importuning.] Etym: [From Importune, a.: cf. F. importuner.]

1. To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent, unreasonable, or troublesome application or pertinacity; hence, to tease; to irritate; to worry. Their ministers and residents here have perpetually importuned the court with unreasonable demands. Swift.

2. To import; to signify. [Obs.] "It importunes death." Spenser.

importune Im`por*tune", v. i.

Defn: To require; to demand. [Obs.] We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune. Shak.