Importune

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ɪmpɔːˈtjuːn/, /ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn/

Origin

From Middle French importuner, from Medieval Latin importunari ("to make oneself troublesome"), from Latin importunus ("unfit, troublesome"), originally "having no harbor"

Full definition of importune

Verb

1. To bother, trouble, irritate.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.17:To deliberate, be it but in slight matters, doth importune me.
2. To harass with persistent requests.
• 1610, , by William Shakespeare, act 2 scene 1You were kneel'd to, and importun'd otherwise
  By all of us; ...
• Jonathan SwiftTheir ministers and residents here have perpetually importuned the court with unreasonable demands.
3. To approach to offer one's services as a prostitute, or otherwise make improper proposals.
4. (obsolete) To import; to signify.
• SpenserIt importunes death.

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Grievous, severe, exacting.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.vi:And therewithall he fiercely at him flew,
  And with importune outrage him assayld ....
2. (obsolete) inopportune; unseasonable
3. (obsolete) troublesome; vexatious; persistent
• SpenserAnd their importune fates all satisfied.
• Francis BaconOf all other affections it envy is the most importune and continual.

Related terms

• importunate