impertinence

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English

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Etymology

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Borrowed from Middle French impertinence, from impertinent (impertinent); by surface analysis, im- +‎ pertinent.

Pronunciation

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  • (UK) IPA(key): /ɪmˈpɜː.tɪ.nəns/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ɪmˈpɝ.tɪ.nəns/, (rare) /ɪmˈpɝt.nəns/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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impertinence (countable and uncountable, plural impertinences)

  1. (uncountable) Lack of pertinence; irrelevance.
  2. (countable) An instance of this; a moment of being impertinent.
  3. (uncountable) The fact or character of being out of place; inappropriateness.
  4. (countable, uncountable) Insolence; impudence.
    • 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. [], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, [], →OCLC, pages 198–199:
      "Because," interrupted the actress, "I see things exactly as they are. I calculate my effects, but they do not deceive myself; you, on the contrary, live in a world of illusions, where every thing is called by such an exceedingly fine name, that it seems a downright impertinence to ascertain what it really is."

Translations

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French

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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impertinence f (plural impertinences)

  1. impertinence

Further reading

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