importunity

English

Etymology

From Middle French importunité, from Latin importunitas.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪmpɔːˈtjuːnɪti/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌɪmpɔɹˈtuːnɪti/

Noun

importunity (plural importunities)

1. (obsolete) Unseasonableness; an unsuitable or inappropriate time.
2. A constant and insistent demanding.

Quotations

• 1602 : Hamlet by William Shakespeare, act 1 scene 3 lines 28-29-30-31

  Then weigh what loss your honour may sustain

  If with too credent ear you list his songs

  Or lose your heart, or your chaste treasure open

  To his unmastered importunity.

• 1611 : The Bible (KJV), Luke 11:8

  I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

• 1766, Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield

  Still, however, being surrounded with importunity, and no longer able to satisfy every request that was made him, instead of money he gave promises.

Translations

obsolete: unseasonableness

• German: Ungewohnheit f

constant and instant demanding

• German: Bedingungslisigkeit f

• Turkish: sırnaşıklık (tr)