importune

/ˌim-pər-ˈtün/

borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French importuner "to tire, annoy by inappropriate persistence," borrowed from Medieval Latin importūnāre "to harass, pester," verbal derivative of Latin importūnus "unfavorable, inconvenient, adverse, troublesome, relentless"

verb

  1. to press or urge with troublesome persistence

  2. to request or beg for urgently

  3. annoy, trouble

beg entreat beseech implore supplicate adjure importune mean to ask urgently. beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking. entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance.

adjective

  1. importunate