importun

n. [ From Importunate. ] The quality of being importunate; importunateness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Importune. ] 1. Troublesomely urgent; unreasonably solicitous; overpressing in request or demand; urgent; teasing; as, an importunate petitioner, curiosity. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hard to be borne; unendurable. [ R. ] Donne.

-- Im*por"tu*nate*ly, adv. -- Im*por"tu*nate*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who importunes; an importuner. [ Obs. ] Sir E. Sandys. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. importun, L. importunus; pref. im- not + a derivative from the root of portus harbor, importunus therefore orig. meaning, hard of access. See Port harbor, and cf. Importunate. ] 1. Inopportune; unseasonable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Troublesome; vexatious; persistent; urgent; hence, vexatious on account of untimely urgency or pertinacious solicitation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And their importune fates all satisfied. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of all other affections it [ envy ] is the most importune and continual. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Importuned p. pr. & vb. n. Importuning. ] [ From Importune, a.: cf. F. importuner. ] 1. To request or solicit, with urgency; to press with frequent, unreasonable, or troublesome application or pertinacity; hence, to tease; to irritate; to worry. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their ministers and residents here have perpetually importuned the court with unreasonable demands. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To import; to signify. [ Obs. ] “It importunes death.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To require; to demand. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings shall importune. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an importune manner. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who importunes. [ 1913 Webster ]