Etymology First attested in 1477, in Middle english; from Latin importūnus + -ate (adjective-forming suffix), modelled on Middle French importuné. By surface analysis, importune + -ate. The noun was substantivized from the adjective, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).
1
Of a demand Persistent or pressing, often annoyingly so.
Nick was on the point of declaring again that he was a humbug, so vivid was his inner sense of what he thought of his factitious public utterances, which had the cursed property of creating dreadful responsibilities and importunate credulities for him.1889–1890, Henry James, The Tragic Muse […], volume (please specify the page), Boston, Mass.; New York, N.Y.: Houghton Mifflin Company […], published 7 June 1890, →OCLC:
Trembling in every limb I raise my loud importunate cry, And in a sacred terror wait the Delian god’s reply.1928, W[illiam] B[utler] Yeats, Sophocles’ King Oedipus: A Version of the Modern Stage, London: Macmillan and Co., […], →OCLC:
2
Of a person Given to importunate demands, greedily or thoughtlessly demanding.
[...] if you reprimand or punish them, be assured every one will consider you importunate as well as ridiculous.1833, Elisabeth Celnart, The Gentleman and Lady's Book of Politeness and Propriety of Deportment: Dedicated to the Youth of Both Sexes, Allen and Ticknor and Carter, Hendee, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 15:
Etymology First attested in 1477, in Middle english; from Latin importūnus + -ate (adjective-forming suffix), modelled on Middle French importuné. By surface analysis, importune + -ate. The noun was substantivized from the adjective, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).
1
An importuner.
This will put an Answer into the Kings mouth, against all importunates.1751 (written 1641), John Pym, “A Worthy Speech spoken in Parliament, by Mr. Pym, concerning evil Counsellors about his Majesty”, in A Collection of Scarce and Valuable Tracts, on the Most Interesting and Entertaining Subjects, volume 1, page 306:
importunate
verb
UK /ɪmˈpɔːtjuːneɪt/ · US /ɪmˈpɔɹtjuːneɪt/
Etymology First attested in 1574; adapted borrowing of French importuner (“to bother, disturb”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
All which notwithstanding, I obtained licence at length to make my supplication to the noble Parliament house; but I could find no messengers till Sir John Seton went, whom I importunated daily to obtain me favor for my return home again.1581 June 23, Thomas Churchyard, letter to Sir Christopher Hatton, in Sir Harris Nicolas (editor), Memoirs of the Life and Times of Sir Christopher Hatton, K.G., Richard Bentley (publisher, 1847), page 173
Is my work ended? The fear of importunating my friends answers, “Yes.”1847 December 18, N. Roussel, “Spiritual Destitution of Paris.—Appeal to British Christians”, in Evangelical Christendom: Its State and Prospects, Volume II (1848), Partridge and Oakey, page 43
1 more example
It is the concrete that impresses, that importunates until it influences—in writing as in everything else.1910 July, David Leslie Brown, “The Need of To-day”, in Sunset, Volume 25, Southern Pacific Company, reverse of frontispiece