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importune Definition

im·por·tune (im′pôr to̵̅o̅n′, -tyo̵̅o̅n′; --pər-; chiefly Brit im pôr′tyo̵̅o̅n′, -c̸ho̵̅o̅n′)

transitive verb -·tuned′, -·tun′·ing

  1. to trouble with requests or demands; urge or entreat persistently or repeatedly
  2. Archaic to ask for urgently; demand
  3. Obsolete
    1. to trouble; annoy
    2. to impel

Etymology: Fr importuner < the adj.

intransitive verb

to make urgent requests or demands

adjective

Rare importunate

Etymology: ME < OFr importun < L importunus, unsuitable, troublesome < in-, not + (op) < portunus: see opportune

importune Related Forms

im′·por·tune′ly adverb im′·por·tun′er noun

importune Synonyms

importune

v.

plead, implore, press, urge; see beg 1, urge 2. See syn. study at beg, urge.

importune Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

often: Having been often importuned to preach at Cowbridge, this morning I set out with sister Jones and others.