importable 
This storie is seyd nat for that wyves sholde 
Folwen Grisild as in humilitee, 
For it were importable, though they wolde. 
Chaucer, Clerk's Tale, 1. 1058. 
Burdons that ben importable 
On folkes shuldris thinges they conchen 
That they nyl with her fyngris touchen. 
Rom. of the Rose, 1. 6904. 
The tempest would be importable if it beat always upon 
him from all sides. L\fe of Firmin, p. 80. 
importablenesst (im-por'ta-bl-nes), n. The 
quality or state of being unendurable. 
But when, by time and continuance, the mind is accus- 
tomed to it, though the yoke be the same, yet it finds no 
such severity and iinportablcneas in it. 
Sir M. Hale, Preparative against Affliction. 
importance (im-por'tans), . [= F. impor- 
tance = Sp. Pg. importiincia = It. importanza, < 
ML. importantia, importance, < L. importan( t-)s, 
inportan(t-)s, important: see important.] 1. 
The quality of having much import or moment ; 
consequence; concernment; momentousness. 
Their priests were next in dignity to the King, and of 
his Counsell in all businesses of importance. 
Sandys, Travailes, p. 81. 
Not a question of words and names, as Gallic thought 
it, but a matter of the highest importance to the world. 
Stillinyjleet, Works, II. i. 
This accident of noblesse was a matter of curious and 
excevtlonaliinportance at this Court [thatof Louis XVIII.], 
which was itself an accident H. Adams, Gallatin, iv. 503. 
2. Personal consequence or consideration; 
standing; dignity; social or public position. 
Thy own importance know, 
Nor bound thy narrow views to things below. 
Pope, R. of theL.,1. 35. 
The man who dreams himself so great; 
And his importance of such weight, 
That all around, in all that's done, 
Must move and act for him alone. 
Cowper, The Retired Cat. 
3. Pretentiousness; pompousness: as, he walk- 
ed in with an air of great importance. 4f. Sig- 
nificance; meaning; import. 
The wisest beholder . . . could not say if the impor- 
tance were joy or sorrow. Shak., W. T., v. 2. 
5t. A matter of weight or moment. 
A cunning man, hight Sidrophel, . . . 
To whom all people, far and near, 
On deep importances repair. 
S. Butler, Hudibras, II. iii. 110. 
6f. [Of. important, 3.] Importunity; urgency. 
Heywood. 
Maria writ 
The letter, at Sir Toby's great importance. 
Shak., T. N., v. 1. 
The shortness of time, and this said bringer's impor- 
tance is only the let [that] I neither send you spectacles, 
the price of the Paraphrases, nor thanks for your cheese. 
J. Bradford, Letters (Parker Soc., 1853), II. 6. 
importancyt (im-p6r'tan-si), n. [As impor- 
tance : see -cy.~] Importance. 
We consider 
The importance of Cyprus to the Turk. 
Shak., Othello, i. 3. 
important (im-por'tant), a. [< P. important 
= Sp. Pg. It. importance, < ML. importan(t-')F, 
important, momentous, prop. ppr. of L. impor- 
tare, inportare, bring in, introduce, ML. (Rom.) 
signify, express : see import.] 1 . Of much im- 
port ; bearing weight or consequence ; momen- 
tous; grave; significant. 
The dawn is overcast, the morning lowers, 
And heavily in clonds brings on the day, 
The great, the important day, big with the fate 
Of Cato and of Home. ^<Mison,Cato, i. 1. 
The recognition of the right of property in ideas is only 
less important than the recognition of the right of prop- 
erty in goods. H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 180. 
2. Consequential; pretentious; pompous: as, 
an important manner. 3f. [Appar. confused 
with importunate. Cf. importunate, 1.] Impor- 
tunate; eager; pressing. 
If the prince be too important, tell him there is measure 
in everything. Shak., Much Ado, ii. 1. 
importantly (im-pdr'tant-li), adv. 1. In an 
important manner; weightily; forcibly. 
It is not likely 
That when they hear the Roman horses neigh, 
Behold their quartr'd fires, have both their eyes 
And ears so cloy'd importantly as now, 
That they will waste their time upon our note, 
To know from whence we are. Shak., Cymbeline, iv. 4. 
2. Pompously. 3f. Importunately, 
importation (im-por-ta'shpn), n. [=F. importa- 
tion = Sp. importation = Pg. importacao = It. 
importasionc, < ML. *importatio(n-), < L. impor- 
tare, inportare, bring in : see import.'] 1. The 
act or practice of importing, or of bringing in 
or introducing from another country or state : 
as, the importation of live stock : opposed to ex- 
portation. Importations into the United States can be 
3014 
made only at ports of entry constituted by law. All goods, 
wares, and merchandise so imported must be entered at 
a custom-house by presenting a bill of lading, an invoice 
duly certified by the United States consul at the port of ex- 
portation, and a sworn description of the goods by the 
importer. Entry may be made by an authorized agent 
or attorney if the importer is sick or absent from the 
port. If the goods are free of duty, a permit to land is 
immediately issued, subject to official inspection and 
verification of the goods. If the goods are dutiable, the 
duties are estimated at the custom-house and paid in 
United States coin or equivalent government notes, and 
a permit is issued to send one or more packages to 
the appraiser's stores for examination, the residue being 
delivered to the importer under bond to produce them 
should the examination of packages show discrepancies. 
Goods which are appraised and found to be undervalued 
are subject to an additional duty on the excess, or, in cer- 
tain cases, to additional duty on the whole appraised value 
as a penalty. In case of damage on a voyage of importa- 
tion, an allowance is made by appraisal, and the duties 
are proportionably abated. Any fraudulent undervalua- 
tion or proceeding involves the confiscation of the goods 
concerned. Goods may be warehoused for three years, and 
withdrawn on payment of duty, with 10 per cent, added 
after the first year ; they may be exported from a bonded 
warehouse free, or transported thence in bond to other 
domestic ports. To certain interior ports goods may be 
transported in bond, without appraisement, directly from 
the importing vessel. Upon the exportation of most 
manufactured fabrics containing materials upon which 
import duties have been paid, a drawback of such duties, 
less 10 per cent., is allowed. 
I could heartily wish that there was an act of parliament 
for prohibiting the importation of French fopperies. 
Aildison. Fashions from France. 
2. One who or that which is brought from 
abroad; a person or thing brought into one 
country from another : as, the coachman was 
a recent importation; this umbrella is an im- 
portation. [Colloq.] 3f. The act of carrying 
or conveying; conveyance. 
The instruments of the vital faculty which serve for im- 
portation and reception of the blood. 
J. Smith, Portrait of Old Age, p. 239. 
importer (im-por'ter), n. One who imports ; a 
merchant or other person, or a corporate body, 
by or for whom goods are brought from another 
country or state : opposed to exporter. 
Up to the present year New South Wales has been a 
large importer of wheat. Nineteenth Century, XXIV. 397. 
importlesst, a. [< import + -less.] Without 
import; of no weight or consequence. 
Hatter needless, of importless burden. 
Shak., T. and C., 1. 3. 
importrayt, v. * [< - 2 + portray.] To por- 
tray; depict. 
Whome Philautus is now with all colours importraying 
in ye Table of his hart. 
Lyly, Euphues and his England, p. 311. 
importunablet (im-por-tu'na-bl), a. [< impor- 
tune + -able.] Insupportable ; .onerous. 
ImportunaUe burdens. Sir T. More. 
importunacy (im-por'tu-na-si), n. [< impor- 
tuna(te) + -cy.] The" quality of being impor- 
tunate; importunity; urgent solicitation or 
pressure. 
Mr. Lincoln is in earnest* and, as he has been slow in 
making up his mind, has resisted the importunacy of 
parties and of events to the latest moment, he will be as 
absolute in his adhesion. Emerson, Emancipation Proc. 
importunate (im-por'tu-nat), a. [< ML. im- 
portunatus, pp. of importunari, importune: see 
importune, v. According to the sense in E., 
the form should be "importunant, < ML. impor- 
tunan(t-)s, ppr.] 1. Troublesomely solicitous 
or pressing; vexatiously persistent; pertina- 
cious. 
They may not be able to bear the clamour of an impor- 
tunate suitor. Smalridge. 
In fancy leave this maze of dusty streets, 
For ever shaken by the importunate jar 
Of commerce. Bryant, A Rain-Dream. 
I am not without anxiety lest I appear to be importu- 
nate in thus recalling your attention to a subject upon 
which you have so recently acted. 
Lincoln, in Raymond, p. 438. 
2f. Troublesome; vexatious. 
Bethink you, how to the importunate accidents of this 
human life all the world is exposed. 
Donne, Hist. Septuagint, p. 142. 
importunately (im-p6r'tu-nat-li), adv. In an 
importunate manner ; with persistent or ur- 
gent solicitation. 
importunateness (im-por'tu-nat-nes), n. Im- 
portunity. 
She with more and more importunateness craved. 
Sir P. Sidney. 
importunatort (im-por'tu-na-tor), n. [= Sp. 
Pg. importunador, < ML. as if *importunator, 
< importunari, importune : see importune.] An 
import uner. 
Abnegators and dispensers against the law of God, but 
tyrannous importunators and exactors of their own. 
Sir E. Sandys, State of Religion. 
importunity 
importunet (im-pQr-tun' or im-p6r'tun), a. and 
n. [< ME. importune, < OF. (also F.') importun 
= Sp. Pg. It. importuno, (. L. importunus, inpor- 
tuiiiis, unfit, unsuitable, troublesome, rude, un- 
mannerly, orig. without access, < in- priv. + 
pnrtus, access, a harbor: see port 2 . Cf. the op- 
posite opportune.] I. . 1. Unseasonable; in- 
opportune; untimely. 
I trow I haue this day done you much tribulation with 
my importune obiections of very litle substance. 
Sir T. More, Cumfort against Tribulation (1573)> fol. 53. 
The musical airs which one entertains with most de- 
lightful transports to another are importune. 
Glanmlle, Vanity of Dogmatizing, xiii. 
Further way 
It [the stroke] made, and on his hacqueton did lyte, 
The which dividing with importune sway, 
It seizd in his right side. Spe.nser, F. Q., II. viii. 38. 
2. Importunate. 
Oft they did lament his lucklesse state, 
And often blame the too importune fate 
That heapd on him so many wrathfull wreakes. 
Spenser, F. Q., I. xii. 16. 
Pru. Flies are busy. 
Lady F. Nothing more troublesome, 
Or importune. B. Jonxon, New Inn, ii. 2. 
What doth hot importune labour overcome? 
Foxe (Arber's Eng. Garner, I. 108). 
H. n. An importunate person; one offen- 
sively persistent. 
In Spaine it is thought very vndecent for a Courtier to 
crane, supposing that it is the part of an importune. 
I'uttenltam, Arte of Eng. Poesie, p. 248. 
importune (im-pr-tun', formerly also ini-por'- 
tun), 1). ; pret. and pp. importuned, ppr. impor- 
tuning. [< F. importuner = Sp. Pg. importit- 
nar = It. importunare, < ML. importunari, be 
troublesome, < L. importunus, troublesome : see 
importune, a.] I. trans. 1 . To press or harass 
with solicitation; ply or beset with unremit- 
ting petitions or demands; crave or require 
persistently. 
She with great lamentation, and abundance of tears, 
importuned Jupiter to restore her. 
Bacon, Physical Fables, xi. 
2f. To crave or require persistently ; beg for 
urgently. 
All this is no sound reason to importune 
My leave for thy departure. 
Ford, Broken Heart, i. 1. 
3f. To annoy; irritate; molest. 
Of his two immediate successors, Eugenius the Fourth 
was the last pope expelled by the tumults of the Roman 
people, and Nicholas the Fifth, the last who was impor- 
tuned by the presence of a Roman emperor. 
Gibbon, Decline and Fall, Ixx. 
4f. [A false use, by confusion with import.] 
To import; signify; mean. 
But the sage wisard telles, as he has redd, 
That it importunes death. 
Spenser, F. Q., III. i. 16. 
= Syn. 1, Request, Beg, Tease (see oaJti); appeal to, plead 
with, beset, urge, plague, worry, press, dun. 
II. intrans. To make requests or demands 
urgently and persistently. 
I shall save Decorums if Sir Rowland importune*. I 
have a mortal Terror at the Apprehension of offending 
against Decorums. Concrete, Way of the World, iii. 6. 
Creditors grow uneasy, talk aside, 
Take counsel, then importune all at once. 
Browning, Ring and Book, I. 154. 
Ii or im-por'tun-li), 
importunelyt (im-p&r-tun'li 
adv. 1. Importunately. 
Wtout any fere of God, or respect of his honour, murmnre 
or grudge of y worlde, he would importundji pursue hys 
appetite. Sir T. More, Works, p. 6:i. 
The Palmer lent his eare unto the noyce, 
To weet who called so importunely. 
Spenser, !'. Q., II. viii. 4. 
2. Inopportunely. 
The constitutions that the apostles made concerning 
deacons and widows are, with much importunity, but 
very importunely, urged by the disciplinarians. 
Bp. Sanderson. 
importuner (im-por-tu'ner), . One who im- 
portunes or urges with earnestness and persis- 
tence. 
Preclude your ears against all rash, rude, irrational in- 
novating importuners. 
Waterhouse, Apology (1653), p. 187. 
importunity (im-por-tu'm-ti), . ; pi. importu- 
nities (-tiz). [< F. imporiunitc = Sp. importu- 
nidad = Pg. importmudade = It. importunita. < 
L. importunita(t-~)s, iiiportiiiiita(t-)s, unsuitable- 
ness, unfitness, troublesomeness, < importunus, 
inportunus, unfit, troublesome: see importune.] 
If. Unseasonableness; inopportunity. 
Euery thing hath its season, which is called Oportunitie, 
and the vnfttnesse or vndecency of the time is called Jm- 
pnrtunitie. 
Puttenham, Arte of Eng. Poesie (ed. Arber), p. 274. 
