impertinence
UK[ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəns]US[ɪmˈpɜːrtənəns]
n
Lack of respect; rudeness.
n
An instance of rude or disrespectful speech or behavior.
Morpheme Breakdown
im
pertinent
ence
im
not
pertinent
relevant
ence
state/quality
Etymology
The word 'impertinence' is built on the Latin foundation of 'pertinere', meaning "to reach, to pertain, to be relevant". The prefix 'im-' (a variant of 'in-') negates this core, creating the sense of "not pertaining" or "not relevant". In its original 15th-16th century usage, it described speech or actions that were irrelevant to the matter at hand. Over time, the social implication of introducing irrelevant or inappropriate remarks evolved into the modern abstract meaning of disrespectful rudeness, as such behavior is considered socially "out of place" or not pertinent to proper conduct.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + pertinent (relevant) + ence (state/quality)
- im: Latin prefix, a form of 'in-' meaning "not".
- pertinent: From Latin 'pertinere' (to pertain, to be relevant), via Old French. In this structure, it is the core adjective meaning "relevant".
- ence: Latin suffix '-entia', forming nouns denoting a state or quality.
Examples
She was shocked by the impertinence of his question.
I won't tolerate such impertinence from a junior employee.
His reply was a piece of sheer impertinence.