| 释义 |
imperfectadj.n. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French imparfait. Etymology: Originally < Anglo-Norman inparfait, inparfit, Middle French imparfait, imparfet (French imparfait ) incomplete, lacking some usual or necessary part (late 13th cent. in Old French), (in grammar) expressing action in progress but not complete at the time referred to (beginning of the 14th cent.), flawed, defective, faulty (late 14th cent.) < classical Latin imperfectus (of concrete or abstract things) not complete, unfinished, (of actions or processes) not completed, legally imperfect, in post-classical Latin also in grammar (3rd cent.), arithmetic (5th cent.), and music (from 13th cent. in British sources) < im- im- prefix2 + perfectus perfect adj. In β. forms remodelled after classical Latin imperfectus.Compare Catalan imperfecte (14th cent.), Spanish imperfecto (early 15th cent.), Portuguese imperfeito (15th cent.), Italian imperfetto (early 14th cent.). Specific senses. With sense A. 6c compare earlier imperfective adj. 2. With use as noun compare post-classical Latin imperfectum (short for tempus imperfectum ; 5th cent.), Middle French, French imparfait (1596), Italian imperfetto (a1544), all in sense ‘imperfect tense’. In sense B. 1b after German Imperfectum (G. H. A. Ewald, 1828; now usually Imperfekt ). Specific forms. With the formal variation compare discussion at perfect adj., n., and adv. With forms in in- compare in- prefix4. A. adj. I. General uses. the world > action or operation > completing > non-completion > [adjective] the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > [adjective] the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > imperfection > [adjective] the world > life > source or principle of life > age > youth > [adjective] > young (of beings) a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. viii. vii. 459 Coluri beþ iseide as hit were col[l]i tauri, and haueþ þat name of þe tayle of a wilde oxe, þat areriþ his taile and makeþ an inparfite cercle [L. circulum facit imperfectum]. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. pr. x. l. 2474 For þe nature of þinges ne token nat her bygynnyng of þinges amenused and inperfit [L. ab deminutis inconsummatisque] but it procediþ of þingus þat ben al hool and absolut. 1490 W. Caxton tr. xiii. sig. Diiij The werkes..that were begonne..be lefte wythout eny more werkyng alle Imperfyt. a1500 (?a1450) (BL Add. 9066) (1879) 339 The child is not apte to serve god, in that he is inparfite. 1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid xi. f. 312 A line is the imperfectest kinde of quantitie. 1669 5 Their malice is like an inperfect book, it hath no Finis to it. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 116 A Snake..Leaving his Nest, and his imperfect Young. View more context for this quotation 1762 T. Percy Let. 18 Oct. in (1946) II. 17 Unhappily my copy is imperfect: perhaps some of your libraries afford a compleat one. 1782 J. Priestley I. Pref. 19 I did not think it right to leave any of the pieces imperfect. 1856 J. A. Froude (1858) I. ii. 92 The history of the time is too imperfect to justify a positive conclusion. 1884 F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott tr. H. A. de Bary 367 Those bundles which become imperfect by disappearance of the Tracheæ. 1917 C. C. McLean i. 13 The small ‘I’ or ‘Ego’ as the unfinished, imperfect demonstration of each individual here and now. 1967 5 111 Nor was his work that of a man who left imperfect a grand design. 2012 E. J. Reitz & M. Shackley i. 1 From an archaeological perspective, people left an imperfect record of their lives. the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > imperfection > [adjective] > in specific way: defective or faulty the mind > possession > non-possession > [adjective] > devoid of something > a quality society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > [adjective] > having faults of character c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xvi. l. 136 Preoueþ by pure skyle inparfit alle þynges, Nemo bonus, Bote leel loue and treuthe. c1440 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Thornton) in G. G. Perry (1921) 46 Othir saules þat ere in þis lyfe inperfite..ne had noghte þe fullhede of charite..sall haue þe lawere mede. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 349 (MED) Salamon..was feerd forto aske..the hardir, hiȝer, and perfiter wey—askid mekeli and discreetli the imperfiter wey, as it which was to him surer and meeter than was the perfiter wey. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis (Pynson) iii. vi. sig. Gv I am yit imperfight of vertue & feble in loue. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) II. f. vii To brynge men of more Inperfyght lyfe, into ye place of men more parfyght. 1608 W. Shakespeare xx. 5 Your other sences grow imperfect By your eyes anguish. View more context for this quotation 1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc 176 He had written them in French..and withall in an imperfect and bad character. 1726 Bp. J. Butler xiii. 258 So imperfect a Creature as Man. 1798 IV. 408 An Andaman hut may be considered the rudest, and most imperfect attempt of the human race to procure shelter from the weather. 1816 J. T. James iv. 375 He, whose imperfect accent would have increased their suspicion, answered their interrogations only by sighs and groans. 1872 J. Ruskin §88 Ignorance..will produce what is imperfect, but not offensive. 1912 27 Dec. 1422/1 The piston..is also as near perfect as human tools can make it, but it is still an imperfect circle. 1936 23 Sept. 17/3 A shipment of table candles which had been rejected by the jobbers because the color was imperfect. 1994 20 201 A ‘Boer’ lacking his ‘Roer’ [i.e. rifle] was perceived as a rather imperfect person. 2002 3 Aug. 11/2 Unlike Renaissance idealism, the baroque sees the world as imperfect and in need of repair, but in that brokenness is the possibility of receiving the divine. the mind > goodness and badness > badness or evil > [adjective] society > morality > moral evil > [adjective] c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. xv. l. 50 ‘Þanne artow inparfit,’ quod he, ‘and one of prydes knyȝtes’. 1459 (London Metropolitan Archives CLA/024/01/02/084) m. 2 He..acqueynted hym with one Denyse..And by hir gate and hadde two sonnes..And afterward..was compelled..bicause of their imperfite livyng to wed þe seid Denyse. c1550 (1979) 116 O imperfect ande vicius contrafait gentil man. 1611 R. Cotgrave Vicieux,..erronious, imperfect, vnsound. 1630 tr. G. Botero (rev. ed.) 266 Their imperfect customes of drinking. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > want of knowledge, ignorance > unfamiliarity with, inexperience > [adjective] the world > action or operation > ability > inability > unskilfulness > [adjective] > not fully proficient 1508 W. Kennedy Flyting (Chepman & Myllar) in (1998) I. 216 Gude maister Gilliam gukkis, Our imperfyte in poetry or in prose. 1570 (c1478) Hary (Lekprevik) xii. f. 183v Blame nocht the buik, thocht I be Imperfyte [1488 wnperfyt]. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. iii. 68 Stay you imperfect Speakers, tell me more. View more context for this quotation 1650 Sir T. Browne (ed. 2) ii. v. 70 A main reason why the ancients were so imperfect in the doctrine of meteors was their ignorance of Gun-powder and fire works. 1676 tr. G. Guillet de Saint-Georges 221 If any of the Boys were out or imperfect, he was corrected by the next..till the whole number of words were read. 1748 N. Robinson (new ed.) ii. 25 The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, were imperfect in their Theories of Nature. 1863 A. W. Kinglake I. xvii. 350 Any statesmen who forgot him in their reckoning must have been imperfect in their notion of political dynamics. 1892 W. B. Scott I. i. 15 David was..deleteriously influenced by studying these able but imperfect artists. 1958 22 Dec. 5/5 Should the recitalist be an imperfect executant, the audience must listen for much too long a period, with only one interval to alleviate the longueurs. 2015 (Nexis) 9 Dec. 10 Shouldn't we be driving imperfect drivers off our roads? II. Scientific and technical uses. 5. Music. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > chord > [noun] > imperfect concord a1450 Musical Treat. in (1935) 10 258 Ther be 9 a-cordis of descant..Of þe whech 9 a-cordis þer be 5 perfite & 4 inperfite. c1475 (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) l. 2068 (MED) She [sc. Dame Musica] taught theym..whyche were tewnes perfyte..Whyche tewnes eke byn clepyd imparfyte. 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus 79 Emmeles are..those which sound thirds, sixts, or other imperfect Concords. 1653 Ld. Brouncker tr. R. Descartes xii. 49 When we heare an imperfect Consonance, the eares are induced to expect a more perfect one, wherein they may receive more satisfaction. 1667 C. Simpson 40 Concords are..Perfect and Imperfect... Perfects are these, 5th, 8th with all their Octaves. Imperfects are a 3rd, 6th, and their Octaves. ?1775 W. Waring tr. J.-J. Rousseau 90 The imperfect consonances preserves [sic] but one [harmonic], except the major sixth, which bears two. 1848 W. T. Brande & J. Cauvin 800/2 You must not go from an imperfect concord to a perfect concord by similar motion; such passages being said to contain hidden octaves or fifths. 1881 F. A. Hoffmann 82 When a consonant or dissonant interval is invariable, it is called perfect, and when it may be either major or minor, it is termed imperfect. 1927 July 599/1 One speculated as to the probability of the early church composers' deliberate choice of successions of perfect and imperfect concords as being specially suitable to the large and resonant buildings of the period. 2011 C. Gordon-Seifert iii. 70 The ear demanded that there be progress from an interval of more complexity (an imperfect consonance) to one of less complexity (a perfect consonance). society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [adjective] > types of proportion c1570 Art of Music (BL Add. 4911) f. 5, in at Mud(e Of divisione of mud,..mud maior, quhilk is in larggis and longgis, and mud minor, quhilk is longis and brewis, and ewerie ane of them in perfyt and inperfect is dewydit. 1597 T. Morley 18 The Moode Imperfect of the more prolation is, when all go by two, except the Minome which goeth by three. 1597 T. Morley 19 The Moode Imperfect of the lesse prolation is, when all go by two: as two Longes to the Large, two Breeues to the Longe, two Semibreeues to the Breefe, and two Minomes to the Semibriefe. 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus ii. xi. 54 To imperfect is to make a perfect Note imperfect. Or it is this, to bring it from his value. 1662 sig. ¶¶¶¶ Q. What is Time? A. It is a measuring of Semi-briefs by Briefs, and is either perfect or imperfect... Q. What is imperfect Tyme? A. Two Semi-briefs to the Brief. ?1779 W. Waring tr. J.-J. Rousseau 243 The major imperfect mode was marked by two lines, each of which crossed three spaces, and two others which crossed only two. 1854 J. W. Moore 414/2 All the values of the notes were imperfect, that is to say, in a double or sub-double ratio. 1880 C. H. H. Parry in G. Grove I. 766 Mediæval writers (accustomed to look upon the number Three—the Symbol of the Blessed Trinity—as the sign of Perfection) applied the term Imperfect to all rhythmic proportions subject to the binary division... Thus, the Minim—always equal to two Crotchets only—was essentially Imperfect, in common with all other notes shorter than the Semibreve. The Large was also Imperfect, whenever it was made equal to two Longs [etc.]. 1917 43 100 The longer notes—i.e., the large, long, breve, semibreve, and minim—are sometimes filled up or printed black in order to diminish their value,—as for instance..when it is required to turn a perfect note into an imperfect one. 1978 R. Hoppin xv. 355 The mood is perfect if the long equals three breves, imperfect if it equals two. 2002 A. M. B. Berger in T. Christensen xx. 640 Just as in the French system, the breves of imperfect time are one-third shorter than those of perfect time. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > interval > [adjective] > imperfect 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus i. 20 Semidiapente. Is an Interuall by an imperfect fift, comprehending two Tones, with two semitones. 1768 J. C. Heck iii. 4 The third kind [of chord] consists of an imperfect fifth and flat third. 1796 A. F. C. Kollmann iv. 25 A bass note which carries the imperfect (or diminished) triad. 1812 W. Crotch 4 Two kinds of 4th—a perfect 4th, 5 semitones, C to F [and] an imperfect 4th, 6 semitones, F to B. 1871 J. Stainer ix. §224 Although it [sc. the chord] is called the ‘imperfect triad’, it is, in reality, the first inversion of the chord of the minor seventh of the dominant. 1944 12 121 The Lydian [mode]..is harmonically treacherous owing to its imperfect tritonal fourth. 1988 2 31 We investigated the discrimination of perfect and imperfect (tempered) intervals with ratio numbers up to and including 16, thus mainly so-called dissonances. 2011 28 351/1 ‘First inversions’ occurred when two imperfect intervals were combined (e.g., a third and a sixth). 1636 C. Butler i. iii. 67 Dhe Imperfect Cadence dooeth signifie very little rest, eidher of Harmoni or of Ditti. 1740 J. Grassineau tr. S. De Brossard 17 The Cadence is said to be imperfect when it's last measure is not in octave or unison, but a sixth or a third. 1783 tr. A. Bemetzrieder Introd. p. viii/2 The rest given to the ear..is also qualified, if the base goes from the fourth to the tonick and if it descends from the fifth to the third; this forms the imperfect or irregular cadence. 1836 W. Grier in J. Wilson (new ed.) p. lxxx/1 Cadence is..imperfect when the key note with its harmony precedes that of the fifth or dominant without its added seventh. 1875 F. A. G. Ouseley (ed. 2) xiii. 156 When it is wished to make a kind of rest or division in a piece of music..it is usual to employ what is called the Imperfect cadence, or half-close. 1947 28 228 Many imperfect cadences and some interrupted cadences necessitate, suggest or admit of cadential trills. 2011 30 20 The first phrase, eight bars closing with an imperfect cadence, features a sequential descent in the first violin. 1880 W. S. Rockstro in G. Grove I. 767/1 The melody of the Antiphon, Angelus autem Domini..is in the Eighth Mode; but, as it only extends from F to D—two notes short of the full range of the Hypomixolydian scale—it is called an Imperfect Melody. 1916 (ed. 2) XVI. 62/1 A perfect melody moves within the range of the mode in which it is written; an imperfect melody does not exhaust the entire range. 6. Grammar. the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [adjective] > imperfect c1450 in D. Thomson (1984) 42 Of what party of the ‘Donet’ schall the participle endyng in -ens or -ans be formed? Of the furst person of the pretert inperfyt tens, indicatyf mode and singuler noumbre, as amabam. 1590 J. Thorius tr. A. del Corro 58 The imperfect tense of the optative is formed of the said second person of the indicative moode. a1607 T. Brightman (1611) 155 As touching the wordes, Theod. Beza translateth, when they did give, and so the other wordes they did fall downe, they did cast of, by the imperfect tence. 1658 A. Burgess iii. vii. 375 Apelles, when he drew his line would write faciebat in the Imperfect tense, not fecit, as if he had finished it. 1700 A. Lane 47 The Particle whilst before the Preter indefinite, always denotes the Imperfect tense, as, whilst I did write, or whilst I was writing. 1798 L. Murray (ed. 4) ii. vi. 58 The Imperfect [1795: Preterimperfect] Tense represents the action or event, either as past and finished, or as remaining unfinished at a certain time past. 1821 W. G. Lewis v. 73 The imperfect participle, when used with am, art, is, &c. requires an objective pronoun after it; as, ‘I am loving him’. 1887 W. G. Hale iv. 42 The three imperfect tenses..convey, in addition to standpoint and stage of action, a third idea, that of contemporaneousness. 1951 25 107 The ending of the word imparfait itself corresponds to the imperfect endings of French verbs. 2014 (Nexis) 27 Nov. 31 All internet software I've tried to use, when translating into a foreign language, cannot differentiate between the imperfect tense (‘I was looking’), the perfect tense (‘I have looked’) and the preterite (‘I looked’). 1836 J. Nicholson tr. G. H. A. Ewald ii. 300 The participles also which form imperfect verbs..have always rather the verbal suffixes, because they approach nearer to the verb than to the noun. 1891 12 42 The nominal formations of Semitic are formed either from the perfect or from the imperfect verb-stems. 1967 30 664 Class I verbs are conjugated primarily by means of prefixes which are closely linked with those found in the imperfect conjugation of Semitic verbs. 1995 W. R. Baker i. 35 Brockington..even suggests that the name ‘Yahweh’ is an imperfect tense Hebrew word meaning ‘to speak’. 1921 42 82 Draws close parallel between Greek (esp. Homeric) and Slavonic languages in use of perfective (aorist) and imperfective (imperfect) verb forms, particularly with negatives. 1952 36 221/2 When one says in Russian: ‘We talked for two hours yesterday’,..the imperfect aspect should be used. 2000 24 265 The ending in {-t(')} is one of the major features that distinguish the Early East Slavic imperfect forms from their Old Church Slavic counterparts, where no such variation is attested. 7. Mathematics. the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [adjective] > prime > imperfect 1557 R. Record sig. Aivv Imperfecte nombers be suche, whose partes added together, doe make either more or lesse then the whole number it self..As 12, whose partes are 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6, which make 16. a1690 S. Jeake (1696) 5 Imperfect numbers..are those whose even parts added together, will not return the Primary Number. 1734 II Imperfect Numbers, [in Arithmetick] are those whose Aliquot Parts taken together, don't make the just Number. 1857 J. S. Eaton ix. 50 All imperfect numbers are abundant or defective. 1953 Mar. 84 The eighth-century English theologian Alcuin pointed out that the second origin of the human race, from the eight human beings on Noah's Ark, was less perfect than the first, 8 being an imperfect number. the world > relative properties > number > arithmetic or algebraic operations > [adjective] > multiple > of self or forming powers > with incommensurable root 1706 W. Jones 114 The Roots of Imperfect Powers are Incommensurable Quantities. 1854 J. R. Young in 229 In algebra, it is usual to stop as soon as the proposed polynomial is exhausted; the object being..to ascertain whether the expression submitted to the process is a square or not, than to seek algebraical approximations to imperfect squares. 1874 S. P. Sanford (ed. 2) 355 A number may be a perfect power of one degree, and an imperfect power of another degree; thus, 25 is a perfect square, but an imperfect cube. 1966 57 489 Al-Nasawī is given credit by Sarton for extracting the square roots of imperfect squares. 2013 H. Torrance (new ed.) 65 Some problems will involve finding the square root of imperfect squares, so you may wish to use a calculator. 1565 W. Alley i. vi. f. 219v This induction is imperfect, because all the spices are not nombred. 1624 N. De Lawne tr. P. Du Moulin iv. ix. 149 An Example is an imperfect Induction. For in stead of many particulars we vse but one. 1671 J. Newton ii. v. 103 An Examplary Syllogism is an imperfect induction. 1759 A. Gerard iii. iii. 184 There are two kinds of induction; one imperfect and insufficient, which leads us at once from experiments to the most general conclusions. 1859 F. Wharton iii. 52 He seized upon an imperfect induction to give an additional blow to an hypothesis which he had already effectually demolished by arguments of unquestioned validity. 1870 W. S. Jevons xxv. 213 The assertion that all the planets move in one direction round the sun..is derived from Imperfect Induction; for it is possible that there exist planets more distant than the most distant-known planet Neptune. 1923 Nov. 713 Since all knowledge rests on induction, and since all induction is, strictly speaking, imperfect, all knowledge depends upon probability. 2013 J. T. Ross in D. A. Vakoch iv. 93 Analogy is here an induction, but an imperfect induction. 9. Law. society > law > rule of law > illegality > [adjective] > that cannot be enforced by law 1592 W. West (rev. ed.) i. §686. sig. Nn.iijv A Codicill is an imperfect last will of one testate or intestate not appointing any executor. 1614 T. Lodge tr. Seneca Of Benefits ii. xxxiii, in tr. Seneca 38 This is not the remnant of an imperfect dutie, but an income and accession to a perfect one. 1691 J. Kettlewell 96 If the Testament is imperfect, and not valid, the Emperor himself cannot claim the Inheritance thereby. 1738 W. Warburton I. i. ii. 13 The other [Sort of Duties] they called the Duties of Imperfect Obligation; not, that Morality does not as strongly exact them, but because Civil Laws could not conveniently take Cognizance of them. 1832 J. Austin i. 23 An imperfect law (with the sense wherein the term is used by the Roman jurists) is a law which wants a sanction, and which, therefore, is not binding. 1882 D. D. Field (U.S. Supreme Court) 50 One of the objections of the learned counsel is, that the debts of states are debts of honor only; engagements of imperfect obligation, which the debtors may keep or break at will, Without accountability anywhere. 1920 33 734 There cannot properly be said to be even an imperfect meeting-of-the-minds implied-in-fact contract in such a case. 1941 27 48 When I learned International Law as a student, the assumption was that it was an imperfect law lacking sanction. 2002 C. Wellman V. p. xiii Duties of justice are imperfect duties that ought not to be enforced. a1746 F. Hutcheson (1755) II. iii. i. 169 An imperfect contract [of marriage] without consummation, should not make void a subsequent consummated marriage with a third person who was not apprized of the prior contract. 1791 C. Fearne (ed. 4) I. 199 Its being very dangerous, that a different construction should be put, upon words of limitation in cases of trust and legal estates; except where the limitations were imperfect &c. 1848 J. J. S. Wharton 240/1 In the case of articles of agreement, made in contemplation of marriage, and which are consequently preparatory to a settlement..the trusts declared by them are said to be executory or imperfect, because they require an ulterior act to raise and perfect them. 1873 4 189 A. petitioned the Superior Court of the Province for probate of the partly prepared Testamentary paper, and that Court granted probate of the imperfect instrument with the written statement of the Witnesses. 1961 24 387 An imperfect trust provision, which would be valid if all the objects were exclusively charitable but which, otherwise, is invalid. 2003 62 264 When a donor has done all that only he was able to do to effect a gift at law so that the donee is able complete the legal transfer by himself, the donor will hold property on trust for the donee and the gift, although imperfect at law, is effective in equity. 10. the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > [adjective] > having or relating to parts > of or having stamens or pistils > having neither stamens or nor pistils 1704 J. Harris I Imperfect Flowers of Plants are such as want the Petala: and therefore they are sometimes called Apetalous, and sometimes Stamineous. 1792 W. Withering (ed. 2) III. p. xxvii The 3d subdivision contains imperfect Flowers, or Flowers without Blossoms. 1800 J. Hull I. p. xxxii When imperfect flowers only are found upon a plant, it is to be referred to the Class Monoecia. 1860 J. Lindley (new ed.) i. 13 An amentum or catkin is a spike consisting of imperfect flowers. 1946 A. Nelson viii. 193 The cluster of spikelets in dogstail consists of a perfectly normal spikelet ‘subtended’ by a spikelet with several imperfect and sterile flowers. 1987 39 436 The small, imperfect flowers are borne in slender, elongate, terminal and axillary inflorescences. 2016 J. A. Kazmierski (ed. 2) xiv. 148/2 Perfect flowers are those with both male and female reproductive structures, while imperfect flowers are unisexual. the world > plants > particular plants > fungi > [adjective] > of or exhibiting particular stage or condition 1798 J. Sowerby (1799) II. Tab. CLXXX All cheese seems to have it [sc. Trichia polymorpha] in a young or imperfect state. 1803 J. Sowerby III. Tab. CCCLXXXVII I thought it necessary to figure this [sc. Fibrillaria stellata], and another or two of the imperfect Fungi, that they might be the better understood when found. 1866 1 197 (heading) On an imperfect fungus producing disease in orchids. 1883 Mar. 88 Xylaria furcellata... A very marked, but imperfect species. 1895 M. C. Cooke xxii. 259 The group now under consideration is analogous, in external features, to the Pyrenomycetes, but wholly deficient of asci. The perithecia, or pseudoperithecia, include only stylospores, and have been assumed to be imperfect representatives, or imperfect stages or conditions, of the Pyrenomyceteae, and hence called ‘imperfect capsular fungi’. 1908 626 Similar cultures were successfully carried through with Gnomoniella tubiformis on alder leaves, of which the ‘imperfect’ form was proved to be Leptothyrium alneum. 1939 E. A. Bessey (new ed.) xiv. 375 From time to time an imperfect fungus is connected up with its perfect stage. 1971 P. H. B. Talbot v. 77 The phase associated with asexual spores or sterile mycelia is known as the imperfect state of the fungus, while that associated with production of zygotes or of spores resulting from any type of sexual process is the perfect state. 1988 G. N. Agrios (ed. 3) xi. 381 Some of the more important plant diseases caused strictly by the imperfect stages of the fungi are: Colletotrichum (Gloeosporium),..(C. phomoides),..(C. falcatum), [etc.]. 2010 106 3/2 The specimen should not be allowed to stand for a print longer than overnight, or else imperfect fungi may develop and ruin the print. society > trade and finance > trading conditions > [noun] > competition 1837 H. S. Chapman 46 The American banking system is one of open and equal competition; ours is a mixed system, in which competition is imperfect. 1872 11 Apr. 2/5 The nature of mat-making is such that even this imperfect competition is complained of by the trade. 1942 15 Aug. 399/3 Under imperfect competition such firms, especially where they produce differentiated products, can exert real control. 1992 4 Jan. 18/3 With increasing returns..competition is imperfect—another way of saying that firms are price-setters, not price-takers. 2014 45 808 In several countries, imperfect competition in markets for health care insurance goes hand-in-hand with risk adjustment. B. n. 1. Grammar. the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > aspect > [noun] > imperfect 1569 W. Haywarde tr. A. Guarna sig. f.vii The specified worde, of the specifieng, & betwene two adiectiues, two substantiues, two verbes of the infinitiue mode two perfect speaches, & betwene two imperfects to be no bonde of seruice. 1633 C. Butler iii. §3. 45 Dhe Imperfect is formed, eider of de obliq' Cas' without Imperfect. 1694 A. Boyer iii. 32 The Imperfect in English answers to the Imperfect and Preter Definite in French, and the Pluperfect to both Pluperfects. 1746 T. Nugent tr. C. Lancelot et al. II. v. iii. 15 The other kind of Defectives are those, which being rare or unusual in the Present, and the Imperfect, have nevertheless the use of some other Tenses. 1754 T. Ruddiman viii. 183 There will be a change..the Imperfect for the Pluperfect, and the Subjunctive for the Indicative. 1833 D. Boileau tr. P. Buttmann 139 Some imperfects seem to form an exception to this general rule, and to be aorists at the same time. 1871 B. H. Kennedy §66 The Imperfect expresses: (1) Action going on in time past along with other action..(2) Action repeated or habitual in time past. 1923 7 352 We may say that the imperfect denotes durative or linear action, the past definite punctiliar or point action. 1977 W. J. Ashby iii. 85 Since aller is a signal of futurity, when it is followed by an infinitive, it may only occur in one of two forms: as a present..; or as an imperfect.., signaling futurity from the perspective of the past. 2012 127 S25 Suddenly a different jingle strikes his ears, a cry in the present imperative to dissolve the endless string of verbs in the imperfect. 1836 J. Nicholson tr. G. H. A. Ewald i. 136 The imperfect describes what is unfinished, what is about to be done, only just approaching accomplishment. 1867 S. Davidson tr. H. Fürst (ed. 3) 567/2 To be enabled, therefore to be able, I can, and in all the meanings of Kal generally (supplementing the imperfect of Kal in this manner). 1877 9 35 It will be observed that the Imperfect of the other Semitic languages is here split up into two primary forms. 1971 21 456 In the Semitic languages it is generally understood that the Imperfect represents actions, events, or conditions which are incomplete in themselves. 2007 14 96 The contemporary Hebrew contracts..leave no room for doubt that the ‘imperfect’ served as the normal future form. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > chord > [noun] > imperfect concord 1659 C. Simpson i. 16 The Rule to be observed in passing from Discords, to Imperfects, is this; That we alwayes deflect to that which is nearest, rather then to one more remote. 1667 C. Simpson 40 Concords are..Perfect and Imperfect... Perfects are these, 5th, 8th with all their Octaves. Imperfects are a 3rd, 6th, and their Octaves. ?1775 (ed. 6) 29 The Imperfects viz. the 3d. and 6th. also the Discords of the Key. society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > low quality goods 1862 7 Mar. (advt.) Imperfects, seconds and remnant madder prints to only ten cents per yard. 1898 29 Oct. 10/7 (advt.) Rubbers for men, women and children are sold cheaper here than anywhere in Milwaukee, no seconds or imperfects. 1962 S. Strand 358 In many cases imperfects are useful products, but because of a manufacturer's flaw..they are removed from prime merchandise. 1991 16 Apr. a5/3 (advt.) Selected novelty and basic knit tops and bottoms. Slight imperfects. 2012 (Nexis) 13 June 52 A huge range of end-of-season styles, sizes and colours at drastically reduced prices as well as samples and imperfects. Compounds 1944 J. Von Neumann & O. Morgenstern iv. 183 It will be necessary to allow for rules involving imperfect information of the players. 1952 60 149/2 One of the reasons given for the formation of cartels is that ignorance can be eliminated and with it the ‘wasteful’ aspects of competition under imperfect information. 1975 13 1588/1 The persistence of price and quality diversity in markets with imperfect information. 2000 F. Riedel 1 Imperfect information arises, for example, from the fact that investors do not know the growth rate or other significant parameters of the economy. society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > base metal > [noun] > other than gold or silver 1588 E. Aggas tr. F. de La Noue xxiii. 300 For they [sc. Empirical Alcumists] affirme that this pouder of proiection once performed, they may by casting a little of it among a greate masse of imperfect mettals reduce ye whole into gold. 1686 R. Plot v. 198 Why may not these imperfect Metalls..grow..withoutside the stalks of Gorse, as well as the perfect both without and withinside other plants. 1796 R. Kirwan (ed. 2) II. 89 Whereas Copper, Iron, Lead, and Tin cannot well be reduced without such addition: And hence are called Base or Imperfect Metals. 1822 T. Webster (new ed.) II. 214 The lead which in this operation is scorified, and along with it scorifies the imperfect metals. 1942 9 275 The act of transmutation..was a purifying operation. Its aim was to change the low and imperfect metals into the nature of the higher and purer ones—silver and gold. 2013 L. M. Principe v. 126 When mixed in due proportion with an imperfect metal, the imperfection of the metal and the plusquamperfection of the stone average out to perfection, that is, to gold. 1757 I. p.xxx The imperfect Rhyme is when either of the last syllables do not form a perfect Similitude of Sound, or the Accent is not placed on these Syllables. 1841 XIX. 486/1 If the sounds of the last vowels or of any of the following consonants differ in any degree..the rhyme is so far imperfect; thus, love and move form an imperfect rhyme. 1860 G. P. Marsh xxv. 553 In Icelandic poetry..imperfect rhyme is regularly employed, and..is called skothendíng,..which we may conveniently translate by half-rhyme. 1919 14 450 The play contains the same imperfect rhymes..: estés: vez; razon: son; belleza: pavesa, etc. 1997 (Nexis) 28 Aug. c13 One of his [sc. Jimmie Dale Gilmore] most popular songs..ends in the imperfect rhyme of ‘bright lights on my mind’ and then ‘dollar and a dime’. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online June 2022). imperfectv. Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: imperfect adj. Etymology: < imperfect adj., after perfect v.Compare post-classical Latin imperficere (in music) to cause a perfect unit to lose one third of its value (frequently from 13th cent. in British sources), to make imperfect (14th cent. in British sources). Apparently not recorded between the 17th and 20th centuries. the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > imperfection > [verb (transitive)] a1555 J. Bradford Let. in J. Foxe (1563) 1179/2 I deny transubstantiation..wherby the masse is mainteined, Christes supper peruerted, his sacrifice and crosse imperfited, his priesthode destroyed. 1569 E. Fenton tr. P. Boaistuau f. 29v The heart, which was single: the which moueth vs to thinke (sayth Cardan) Nature wold haue created two, sauing that by some defecte she imperfected the whole [Fr. elle demeura ainsi manque]. a1631 J. Donne (1647) iii. iii. §5 As though the body of Christ could be imperfited. a1682 Sir T. Browne (1716) i. 33 Time, which perfects some Things, imperfects also others. 1943 8 Oct. 612/1 Throughout three acts, one finds him occupied with the extraordinary process of imperfecting his characters in order to elongate his play. 2018 @CallMeChel_324 5 Jan. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) Despite my efforts in imperfecting his perfect hair, it still appeared undeniably sexy. society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [verb (transitive)] > give specific proportion 1597 T. Morley Annot. sig. * This pricke standing in this place [sc. between a mensuration sign and a full black breve]..doeth imperfect. 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus 54 A perfect Breefe can be imperfected [L. imperfici], not onely by a Semibreefe..but also of two Minims. 1614 T. Ravenscroft 12 Minimes, if it be not Imperfected by a Lesse Note going before, or following; Yet will they (forsooth) haue 3. of these White Semi-breues goe to the Tyme of 2. 1960 14 16 In the two Ballades..Schrade returns to his normal practice of imperfecting the first semibreve of the series. 2008 D. Tanay in R. S. Westman & D. Biale v. 118 The rhythmic long..could now be imperfected not only by its immediate third part, the breve, but also by its remote part, the semibreve. Derivatives 1609 J. Dowland tr. A. Ornithoparchus 55 The imperfecting [L. imperficiens] Note doth goe before the Note that is imperfected. 1994 C. M. Balensuela in tr. App. C. 273 The subsequent tables..present successive stages of the imperfection of the maxima; each imperfecting note is notated in white, and the parts of the imperfecting note are eliminated from the diagram. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  adj.n.a1398 v.a1555 |
