importunus Latin · revision 9554

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=derivation|attested=Livius Andronicus|origins=ine-pro *pértus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ɪm.pɔrˈtuː.nʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [im.porˈtuː.nus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''importūnus''' (feminine importūna, neuter importūnum, comparative importūnior, superlative importūnissimus); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+ Also spelled ''inportūnus''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The OLD takes it as formed as the opposite of [[opportūnus]] “convenient”, originally a nautical metaphor, from [[in-]] “not” and [[portus]] “harbour”.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) Wiktionary traces ⟨portus⟩ to [[ine-pro|*pértus|t=crossing]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler's earliest source is Livius Andronicus, whom he dates 280/260–before 200 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant unsuitable, unfavourable, inconvenient, as in Cicero, and of a place hard to approach, as in Sallust; of persons regardless of others, troublesome, oppressive, as in Plautus; and perverse, as in Pliny.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant unsuitable, troublesome, rude.^(Stelten 1995) British Medieval Latin used it for unseasonable, of times and weather.^(DMLBS) Medieval Latin ''importūnārī'' “to be troublesome” is behind [[en|importune]] (1520s).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 280/260–before 200 BC – Livius Andronicus uses it.^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of troublesome people.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1520s – English ''importune'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Unsuitable, inconvenient, unfavourable.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Troublesome, oppressive; [[m|en|importunate|alt=importunate]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Perverse.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[importūnitās]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[opportūnus]]

+ * [[portus]]

+ * [[en|importune]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}