Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The quality of being importunate; importunity; urgent solicitation or pressure.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The quality of being importunate; importunateness.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The quality of being importunate.
  • noun Constant demanding and pressure; importunity.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

importune +‎ -acy

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Examples

  • Mr. Brisbane pushes his doctrine with all the force of memory, talent, honest faith, and importunacy.

    Uncollected Prose 2006

  • No doubt slavery was the most delicate and embarrassing question with which Mr. Lincoln was called on to deal, and it was one which no man in his position, whatever his opinions, could evade; for, though he might withstand the clamor of partisans, he must sooner or later yield to the persistent importunacy of circumstances, which thrust the problem upon him at every turn and in every shape.

    Harvard Classics Volume 28 Essays English and American Various

  • We confide that Mr. Lincoln is in earnest, and, as he has been slow in making up his mind, has resisted the importunacy of parties and of events to the latest moment, he will be as absolute in his adhesion.

    The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 61, November, 1862 Various

  • He could imagine his own father opposing over a considerable period the weight of his personal prestige to the importunacy of ministers, saying with stately ease: "We will speak of that, gentlemen, some other day," and so calmly turning from the subject in dispute -- not solving it, but at least imposing delay as the penalty which ministers must pay for a difference of opinion.

    King John of Jingalo The Story of a Monarch in Difficulties Laurence Housman 1912

  • No doubt slavery was the most delicate and embarrassing question with which Mr. Lincoln was called on to deal, and it was one which no man in his position, whatever his opinions, could evade; for, though he might withstand the clamor of partisans, he must sooner or later yield to the persistent importunacy of circumstances, which thrust the problem upon him at every turn and in every shape.

    Abraham Lincoln, 1864-1865 1909

  • "Peace, fool!" he said, and waved his jewelled hand in gentle reproof of importunacy.

    The Proud Prince 1898

  • He could not be rid of her importunacy, and he came to think it was well that the two should be separated, for Mrs. Briscoe had not abandoned all self-control, and her gallant struggle for composure appealed for his aid.

    The Ordeal A Mountain Romance of Tennessee Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

  • Though he still winced from the recollection, he was sorry that he had resisted the importunacy of Basil's apology.

    The Christmas Miracle 1911 Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

  • Her negation was so definite that they forbore futile importunacy.

    The Ordeal A Mountain Romance of Tennessee Mary Noailles Murfree 1886

  • The girl gave importunacy a little push which sent him staggering back to his seat.

    If I Were King Justin McCarthy 1871

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