importunate
UK[ɪmˈpɔːtʃənət]US[ɪmˈpɔːrtʃənət]
adj
making repeated or annoying requests or demands
adj
(of a demand, request, etc.) persistent to the point of being troublesome
Morpheme Breakdown
im
portun
ate
im
not
portun
harbor, port
ate
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word originates from the latin adjective 'importunus', which literally meant 'having no harbor' or 'inconvenient', from the prefix 'im-' (not) and 'portus' (harbor). in ancient times, a harbor represented safety and refuge; thus, something without a harbor was troublesome, relentless, and difficult to escape from. this literal sense evolved metaphorically to describe people or demands that are persistently pressing and offer no respite. the modern english meaning retains this core idea of being unrelentingly and annoyingly persistent.
Analysis
Structure: im (not) + portun (harbor, port) + ate (adjective suffix)
- im: latin prefix meaning 'not' or 'without'.
- portun: derived from latin 'portus' meaning 'harbor' or 'port', but here it is a specific fossilized form from the latin adjective 'importunus'.
- ate: latin-derived suffix forming adjectives meaning 'having the quality of'.
Examples
she grew weary of his importunate pleas for money.
the journalist faced importunate questioning from the press corps.
he ignored the importunate ringing of the telephone, determined to finish his work.