Importune

Verb

Definition: To ask (someone) persistently for or to do something.

Definition: To annoy or bother (someone) with persistent requests or demands.

Synonyms: Beseech, Implore, Request, Beg

Antonyms: Give, Grant, Deny

Examples:

She importuned him to lend her money.
The salesmen importuned the customer with aggressive sales tactics.

Mnemonics:

"Importune" can be memorized by breaking it down into "import" and "tune". Imagine importing a tune from another country, pestering someone relentlessly for that particular tune.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late Middle English, from Latin 'importunare', from 'importunus' meaning 'inconvenient'.

Historical Usage:

The word has been used in English since the late 15th century.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Importune someone for something"

Explanation:

To persistently ask or beg someone for something, often to the point of annoyance.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Assuming the word is exclusive to the solicitation of prostitutes.

Explanation:

While "importune" can be used in that context, its primary definition refers to persistently asking or bothering someone, rather than specifically related to prostitution.