importune
UK[ˌɪmpɔːˈtjuːn]US[ˌɪmpɔːrˈtuːn]
v
To ask (someone) for something in an annoying or repeated way
v
(archaic) To solicit (someone, especially a prostitute)
Morpheme Breakdown
im
portune
im
in
portune
suitable
Etymology
The word 'importune' originates from the Latin verb 'importunari', meaning 'to be troublesome', which itself stems from the adjective 'importunus'. This adjective was formed by combining the negative prefix 'im-' (not) with 'portunus' (favorable, suitable), a word related to 'portus' (harbor), suggesting something not fit for harbor or inopportune. The literal sense was "untimely" or "inconvenient." Over time, the meaning shifted from describing an inconvenient situation to describing the act of making an inconvenient or persistent request. The modern sense of pestering someone with repeated demands retains this core idea of acting in an unsuitable, pressing, and unwelcome manner.
Analysis
Structure: im (in) + portune (suitable)
- im: Latin prefix meaning 'in', 'into', or 'upon'. In this context, it functions as an intensifier.
- portune: Derived from Latin 'portunus', meaning 'suitable' or 'favorable', related to 'portus' (harbor). It functions as the root carrying the core meaning of timeliness or suitability.
Examples
The children began to importune their mother for more candy.
Reporters importuned the celebrity with questions about her personal life.
He was accused of importuning in a public place.