importune etymology

Etymology

The word "importune" comes from the Latin word "importunus," which means "unseasonable, inopportune, inconvenient." It is derived from the prefix "im-" (not) and the root "portunus" (port, harbor).

Meaning

• To bother or press someone persistently with demands or requests.
• To pester or annoy someone with repeated attention or questions.

Origin

The original Latin sense of "importunus" referred to something that arrives at an inconvenient time, like a guest who arrives at an odd hour. Over time, the meaning shifted to include the idea of bothering or harassing someone.

Examples

• "The telemarketer importuned me with several calls a day."
• "My neighbor constantly importunes me to borrow my lawn mower."
• "The child importuned his parents for a new toy."

importune relate terms

• importunity

  Etymology The word importunity originates from the Latin word importunitas which mea

• importune

  Etymology The word importune comes from the Latin word importunus which means unsea

• port

  Etymology The word port comes from the Latin word portus meaning harbor or haven

• insist

  Etymology Latin insistere to stand upon insist press upon urge Proto Indo Europe

• implore

  Etymology Old French emplorer Latin implorare Proto Indo European root pleh₂ t

• pray

  Etymology The word pray originates from the Old English word gebed which in turn com

• balance

  Etymology Middle English balaunce from Old French balance from Latin bilanx bilance

• elite

  Etymology The word elite comes from the French word élite which in turn comes from

• zodiac

  Etymology The word zodiac is derived from the Late Latin word zōdiacus which in tur

• honest

  Etymology From Middle English onest from Anglo Norman oneste from Old French oneste

• resilience

  Etymology Latin resilient springing back French résilient elastic springy