I.unfit, unsuitable, inconvenient (cf.: molestus, intempestivus, praeposterus).
I. In gen. (rare): “num importunum tempus in tanto otio?” Cic. de Or. 2, 5, 20 B. and K. (al. inopportunum): “aggeribus turribusque et aliis machinationibus locus inportunus,” Sall. J. 92, 7: “importuna locorum,” Sil. 3, 540; cf.: “Armeniam petunt, id temporis importunam, quia hiems occipiebat,” Tac. A. 12, 12: etenim est in eo loco sedes huic nostro non importuna sermoni, Crass. ap. Cic. de Or. 3, 5, 18: “vi quidem regere patriam aut parentis importunum est,” Sall. J. 3, 2.—
II. ln partic., pregn.
A. Troublesome, grievous, distressing, dangerous (rare): “quom illi inportunam tempestatem conciet,” Plaut. Trin. 2, 3, 8: “neque alius importunior acutiorque morbus est,” Cels. 4, 3: “pauperies,” Hor. C. 3, 16, 37: “Caphareus,” stormy, Ov. M. 14, 481.—
B. With respect to character, indecorous, unmannerly, uncivil, rude, morose, harsh, churlish, cruel, savage (class.; syn.: crudelis, immanis; opp. clemens).
1. Of living beings: “tam enim esse clemens tyrannus quam rex importunus potest,” Cic. Rep. 1, 33: “importunus atque amens tyrannus,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 40, § 103: “crudelis atque importuna mulier,” id. Clu. 63, 177: “tam importunus tamque crudelis,” id. Fin. 1, 10, 35: “crudelissimus atque importunissimus tyrannus,” Liv. 29, 17, 20: “uxor importuna atque incommoda,” Plaut. As. 1, 1, 47: “senex,” Ter. Heaut. 1, 2, 23: “importunissimus hostis,” Cic. Cat. 2, 6, 12: “decemviri,” Liv. 5, 2, 8: “plebeii quam fuerint importuni, vides,” Cic. Fam. 9, 21 fin.: “locutores,” Gell. 1, 15, 1: “dives et importunus,” Hor. Ep. 2, 2, 185: “eripiet curule cui volet importunus ebur,” id. ib. 1, 6, 54: “volucres,” Verg. G. 1, 470; Hor. S. 1, 8, 6; cf.: “ales (bubo), i. e. infausta,” Verg. A. 12, 864.—
2. Of things: “immanis atque importuna natura,” Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 3, § 8: “libidines,” id. ib. 2, 4, 50, § “111: clades civitatis,” id. Brut. 97, 332: “mors,” Ov. Am. 3, 9, 19: “sitis famesque argenti,” Hor. Ep. 1, 18, 23: “importuna atque audax argutia,” Gell. 3, 1, 6. — Adv.: importunē (inp- ), unsuitably, unseasonably; rudely, violently: “confidere suis testibus et importune insistere,” Cic. Ac. 2, 25, 80: “repetere,” Dig. 13, 6, 17: “immittere versum de Pyrrho,” Gell. 10, 16, 18: “vexare civitates tyrannica crudelitate,” Just. 42, 1.—Comp.: “insultare veritati,” Lact. 5, 2. —Sup.: “facere,” Gell. 20, 6, 14.
