IMPORTUNE • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Importune

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

Listen

verb

Importune v. t. (past & past part. importuned; pres. part. importuning)

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."

To import; to signify. (Obs.) "It importunes death."

Importune v. i. To require; to demand. (Obs.) "We shall write to you, As time and our concernings shall importune."

adjective

Importune adj.

Inopportune; unseasonable. (Obs.)

Troublesome; vexatious; persistent; urgent; hence, vexatious on account of untimely urgency or pertinacious solicitation. (Obs.) "And their importune fates all satisfied." "Of all other affections it (envy) is the most importune and continual."

See images of 'Importune'

Etymology of 'Importune'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Importune" Quotes from Famous Books

... once more within my shell, Where unobtrusive pleasures dwell; True, I shall here by Fortune be forgot Her favors with my verse agree not well; To importune ...

— A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times - Volume V. of VI. • Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot

... with truth, that the wealthy are ready to bestow their money, but not to endure personal inconvenience. The following anecdote is told in illustration: A late nobleman was walking in St. James's Street, in a hard frost, when he met an agent, who began to importune his Grace in behalf of some charity which had enjoyed his support. "Put me down for what you please," peevishly exclaimed the Duke; "but don't keep me ...

— The Jest Book - The Choicest Anecdotes and Sayings • Mark Lemon

... lean hard upon the Eternal Breast: In all earth's devious ways I sought for rest And found it not. I will be strong, said I, And lean upon myself. I will not cry And importune all heaven with my complaint. But now my strength fails, and I fall, I faint: Let me ...

— Poems of Passion • Ella Wheeler Wilcox

... foot of the stairs they were pounced upon by Percival, who had selected that coigne of vantage as least likely to attract his mother's attention, there to lay in wait for the cards of the unwary. He had been strictly forbidden to importune grown young ladies for dances unless they happened to be wall-flowers, and the injunction lay heavy on his soul. "I will ask girls other men ask," he muttered, darkly, "I hate putting up with refuse and leavings. I'm going to ask the ones I want ...

— Princess • Mary Greenway McClelland

... yet two more days. Madam, you need not fear. I shall not importune you. I give you those two days for reflection. Unless I hear from you ...

— Clementina • A.E.W. Mason

More quotes...