importunity

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“
You wouldn't succeed, of course, but if I ever happen to get fond of you--I mean foolishly fond of you, of course--your importunity might be annoying.

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Definitions (6)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. noun An importunate request; an insistent or pressing demand.
  2. noun The quality of being importunate.

Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (2)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples (50)

  • He seemed to be a little displeased at the manner of our importunity, and in great agitation called out, 'Do not talk thus of what is so aweful. —  Life of Johnson
  • The chief at last became irritated with her importunity, and ordered his retainers to carry him to one of his farms, whither he was accompanied by his wives, those of note belonging to his house, and the prisoners. —  Mary Slessor of Calabar: Pioneer Missionary
  • The greater a crowd's importunity, the swifter his flight. —  OM: The Secret of Ahbor Valley
  • —'Excuse me please for my importunity, but for so long I have wanted to shake your hand!' —  Reminiscences of Chekhov
  • I have asked but one thing with importunity, and by that I abide. —  The Power of Faith
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Etymologies (1)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. from French importunité = Spanish importunidad = Portuguese importunidade = Italian importunità, from Latin importunita(t-)s, inportunita(t-)s, unsuitableness, unfitness, troublesomeness, from importunus, inportunus, unfit, troublesome: see importune.
 

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/ɪmporˈtjunəti/
by American Heritage

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