Importune
[,ɪmpɔː'tjuːn] or [,ɪmpɔr'tun]
Definition
(verb.) beg persistently and urgently; 'I importune you to help them'.
Checked by Juliana--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent, unreasonable, or troublesome application or pertinacity; hence, to tease; to irritate; to worry.
(a.) To import; to signify.
(v. i.) To require; to demand.
Edited by Faye
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Press (by entreaty), urge (by repeated requests), beset, entreat, dun, solicit earnestly.
Edited by Augustus
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Pester, solicit, ask_urgently, press
ANT:surrender, abandon, sacrifice
Edited by Dorothy
Definition
v.t. to urge with troublesome application: to press urgently: (Spens.) to import signify (a false use): to molest as a beggar prostitute &c.—ns. Impor′tunacy Import′unāteness.—adj. Import′unāte troublesomely urgent.—adv. Import′unātely.—adj. Import′une untimely: importunate.—adv. Importune′ly.—ns. Importun′er; Importun′ity.
Typist: Maura
Examples
- She seemed to be tired of my questions: and, indeed, what claim had I to importune her? Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Why do you importune me about her! Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- But I will no longer importune my young cousin. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- Gradually, to be sure, the stress of the old thoughts would return; but at least they did not importune her waking hour. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- I must beg, therefore, to be importuned no farther on the subject. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- At length she gave in from sheer loathing of the continued and hateful importuning. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Checker: Norris