importunity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   persistent and pressing requests or demands, especially when they are troublesome

   Exhausted by the petitioners' importunity, the official finally agreed to hear their case.

From Middle English importunyte, through Old French importunite, from Latin importunitas ("unsuitableness; incivility"), based on importunus ("inconvenient, troublesome"). The sense developed from troublesome conduct to troublesome persistence in making requests.

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