importantadj.n.

Brit.

/ɪmˈpɔːtnt/, U.S.

/ᵻmˈpɔrt(ə)nt/

Forms: late Middle English–1600s importante, 1500s ymportant, 1500s–1600s importaunt, 1500s– important, 1600s emportant.

Origin: Probably of multiple origins. Probably partly a borrowing from Latin. Probably partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Latin important-, importans; French important.

Etymology: Probably partly (i) < post-classical Latin important-, importans momentous (1451; 1408 as importantior, comparative), use as adjective of present participle of classical Latin importāre in its post-classical Latin sense ‘to be of consequence, weight, or force’ (see import v. II.), and partly (ii) (in later use) < Middle French important consequential, weighty, momentous (1528 or earlier; < Italian importante (a1484; 1602 with reference to a person), use as adjective of present participle of importare import v.). Compare Catalan important (1476), Spanish importante (1414), Portuguese importante (c1543), Italian importante (a1484).In sense A. 3 by confusion with importunate adj.; compare similarly quot. 1534 at importunacy n., and also importunance n. With the form emportant compare forms at import v., and ultimately em- prefix.

A. adj.

I. Of importance.

a. That is of great consequence or significance; having a serious or significant effect or influence; consequential, weighty, momentous. Also preceded by an adverb of degree, as more, most, etc., forming a supplementive adjective clause used to modify a clause or sentence: = importantly adv. 1b.The supplementive construction is discussed in R. Quirk et al. Comprehensive Gram. Eng. Lang. (1985) §7.28 (p. 426).See also all-important adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective]

important1444

substantious1483

sore1530

relevantc1540

importing1579

of great (little, etc.) weight1581

grave1594

dear1598

consequentious1634

concerning1641

of concern1651

consequent1659

weighty1662

interesting1711

capital1724

consequential1728

magnitudinous1777

makulu1899

operative1955

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > more important

moreeOE

dominative1639

rather1657

important1894

1444 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1837) VI. 316 To thentent þat suche besy and importante sutes be laide aside.

1538 T. Wyatt Let. Cromwell in R. W. Bailey Early Mod. Eng. (1978) 172/1 And affter I had declarid my sayd abstinens from Importunyng hym In his busines my matters being not so muche Important.

1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. G4 How much auaileable then and important is it, to euerye man to be frequented with learning.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xl. 249 Wee may observe three points of important consequence.

1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. xi. sig. P8 This last and importantest of humane Actions.

1713 J. Addison Cato i. i The great, the important day, big with the fate Of Cato and of Rome.

1760 Hist. Marchioness de Pompadour: Pt. III 184 The important share she has lately taken in publick affairs.

1784 R. Price Let. 6 Apr. in Corr. (1991) II. 215 I look upon the Revolution there as one of the most important events in the History of the world.

1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 161 The most important part of this organ, the continuous siphuncle.

1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 74 Events most important to the understanding of his narrative.

1878 W. de W. Abney Treat. Photogr. xxix. 205 In the doublet lens the position of the diaphragm is important.

1894 Pop. Sci. Monthly Sept. 627 The loss..of efficiency in the transformers, and, even more important, the great cost of that part of the equipment, would both be avoided.

1926 President's Rep. Year 1924–1925 (Univ. Mich.) 167 Most important, this office only places as many houses on the official list as experience guarantees will be filled.

1957 Encycl. Brit. V. 923/1 Cryptology has come to play a very important role in governmental communications.

1968 R. H. W. Brown Gardening Complete vii. 192 One must wait until the soil is damp enough and, more important, warm enough.

1983 S. D. Ross Perspective in Whitehead's Metaphysics 228 First, and least important, we frequently speak of properties in abstraction from actualities.

2006 R. Wacks Philos. of Law v. 86 It is important to note that in Marxist legal theory the law is not regarded as anything special.

b. Of a person: having a powerful or influential role in some community; having high rank or status, or great authority. Cf. importance n. 1b.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > specifically of people

muchc1200

worthya1333

important1581

1581 R. Parsons Discouerie I. Nicols sig. A.iij The great varietie of important learned personages, which..vppon trial of the truthe, doe retourne vnto vs.

a1595 T. Digges in T. Digges & D. Digges Foure Paradoxes (1604) i. 37 These important Officers in causes Militarie.

1640 Popes Conclave sig. B3^v Wee..are met to celebrate the Funeralls of the most important Members of our Church.

1698 Let. to A. H. conc. Stage 15 Tragedy..[shows] the..Accidents of Life, to which the most important Persons are subject.

1787 J. L. de Lolme Ess. Union Scotl. with Eng. 2 Having thus got all the important persons of Scotland in his power, he proffered..a claim of sovereignty.

1850 H. Ruffner Fathers of Desert II. xxiv. 246 He..dictated letters to emperors, governors, bishops, and other important individuals.

1914 Athenæum 7 Feb. 196/1 There were audiences to be granted..to governor-generals, important clerics and other highly placed local people.

1979 J. Y. Nicol in M. Siggins Bassett iii. 69 Bassett gave me several letters of introduction to big shots, very, very important people in Paris and Brussels.

2009 Business Day (S. Afr.) (Nexis) 11 June High-ranking Fifa officials and important guests will proceed through the state protocol lounge.

c. Of a writer, artist, scientist, etc.: highly significant or influential in the history or development of his or her field; having produced work deserving of attention or consideration.

ΚΠ

1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 58 The aboue-mentioned [sc. Cato, Homer, etc.], and the-like important Autours.

1605 R. Buckland in tr. St. Victor Memorable Hist. Persecution in Africke Pref. p. 10 My preamble to so important an Author.

1749 tr. J. O. de la Mettrie Man a Machine 77 The most important writers have inform'd us of a method whereby we may see the animalcule.

1807 Ann. Rev. & Hist. of Lit. 1806 5 708/1 That school of important artists..who flourished under the patronage of Hadrian.

1898 Studio 12 59/2 Among the important sculptors of the fifteenth century, Luca della Robbia is perhaps least known.

1945 B. Russell Hist. Western Philos. xix. 159 In reading any important philosopher, but most of all in reading Aristotle, it is necessary to study him in two ways.

1978 Washington Post 17 Mar. (Weekend section) 1/3 Such important scientists and inventors as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright Brothers.

2012 N. Devon Jrnl. (Nexis) 15 Nov. 18 Brecht is regarded as one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century.

d. Of a thing: that has notable utility, value, power, or influence; that is especially depended on or has a major part to play.In early use usually with reference to strategic importance.

ΚΠ

1593 T. Danett tr. L. Guicciardini Descr. Low Countreys f. 119 Sorle Chasteau is the most important Village in Haynault, with a maruellous strong & an ancient castle.

1615 E. Grimeston tr. P. d'Avity Estates 6 These are the most important reuenues of the Crowne.

1680 R. Morden Geogr. Rectified (1685) 204 Turin..a place very important for the Guard of Italy and fortified with a strong Citadell.

1729 J. Bernardi Short Hist. Life 29 The French had neither Time nor any Opportunity to re-enforce that important Garrison.

1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. xiii. 142 I had now several important Irons in the Fire, and all to be struck whilst hot.

1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 278 The yams, so important a food in all tropical countries.

1867 C. L. Bloxam Chemistry 200 The Nordhausen oil of vitriol is an important article of commerce.

1921 Gas Manuf., Distribution & Use (Brit. Commerc. Gas Assoc.) ii. 109/1 Gas ‘conditioning’ ovens are important appliances in Bradford wool factories.

1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest i. 55 In the controlled reaction where a moderator was used, it was the slow neutrons that were most important.

2009 T. Shibamoto & L. Bjeldanes Introd. Food Toxicol. (ed. 2) i. 26 Bone is an important storage site for certain substances.

e. Of an antique, a work of art, etc.: that has great monetary value, or is highly regarded by collectors, dealers, experts, etc., typically owing to its quality of production, rarity, or provenance.

ΘΚΠ

society > trade and finance > monetary value > [adjective] > of great value

dearworthc888

richa1225

preciousc1300

cherec1320

of pricea1325

dearworthyc1374

wealthy1565

valurous1590

estimable1600

important1810

gilt-edged1821

1810 Gentleman's Mag. Sept. 240 The library of the late Mr. Gough..was sold by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby in April last... The following were among the most important articles: Abbé Saint Non's Voyage Picturesque, [etc.]

1858 Russell's Mag. Nov. 159/2 A notice of a few of the most beautiful and important medals in this cabinet must close this slight sketch.

1890 Athenæum 19 Apr. 486/3 (advt.) A Pair of important Queen Anne Glasses, in carved and gilt frame.

1904 H. James Golden Bowl II. xlii. 368 The other objects in the room, the other pictures, the sofas, the chairs, the tables, the cabinets, the ‘important’ pieces, supreme in their way, stood out.

1969 Times 18 Mar. 18/1 (advt.) A highly important jewelled binding.

1973 Country Life 15 Nov. 76 An important tortoise shell and ormolu English Bracket Clock..by Robert Hodgkin, London, c1720.

2007 M. Chilton in M. Cassidy-Geiger Fragile Diplomacy xii. 277/1 Debrose was involved in procuring a special gift of an important porcelain service for Horatio Walpole.

2. Of a person, or a person's manner, words, actions, etc.: having an air of importance or consequence; pompous, grandiose, pretentious. Cf. self-important adj.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pride > self-importance > [adjective]

buggish1536

puffya1594

important1726

self-important1732

consequential1758

self-consequent1834

gumptious1853

brussen1897

prima donna1897

prima donna-ish1926

over-inflated1934

1726 J. Swift Cadenus & Vanessa 19 Discoursing with important Face, On Ribbons, Fans, and Gloves and Lace.

a1732 J. Gay Fables (1738) II. iii. 22 Fowls of all ranks surround his hut, To worship his important strut.

1798 T. Holcroft Diary 16 July in Memoirs (1816) II. 280 He [sc. Johnson] is indeed, a most solemn, pompous, and important coxcomb.

1823 W. Scott Peveril III. xii. 302 The dwarf..making a most important clutter as he extinguished their fire.

1876 J. Weiss Wit, Humor, & Shakespeare iii. 75 Parodying the important phrases and impotent exploits of the suburban constable.

1884 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 332/1 Lotta Hanwell was an important fool, whom the severest shock to her vanity would not have awakened to the fact that she was not of first-rate consequence.

1900 Memphis Med. Monthly Nov. 581 The physician should enter upon his duties, not with a pompous, important or ‘stuck up’ air, but in a matter-of-course, friendly, easy way.

1998 P. J. O'Rourke Eat the Rich 149 The serious and important manner that comes with drinking too much in the daytime.

†II. Importunate.

3. Importunate, persistent; urgent, pressing. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > request > [adjective] > importunate

onwileOE

importune?1406

instant1477

importunate1529

urgent1548

important1591

importuning1599

instancing1606

clamorous1621

precarious1655

craving1668

clamanta1687

1591 A. Colynet True Hist. Ciuill Warres France iii. 138 At whose returne the Q. Mother was very important to haue a third parley with the king of Nauarre.

1594 G. Ellis Let. 4 Mar. in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Duke of Buccleuch (1899) I. 26 in Parl. Papers (C. 9244) XLVI. 1 He hath been very ymportant..to have me ride with him.

1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 63 If the prince be too important, tell him there is measure in euery thing.

?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. vii. 433 Not to bee important to his friends, as they that are alwaies complaining.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 139 Antipholus my husband, Who I made Lord of me, and all I had, At your important Letters.

1750 tr. J. B. L. Crevier Rom. Hist. XV. li. §ii. 319 He had by different wives thirty sons, who..fatigued by their important solicitations the spirits of the weak old man.

1787 W. Jabett 18 Pract. Serm. vii. 119 How can we possibly conceive, that he would torment us with this restless, this important Desire after Happiness?

B. n.

With the. That which is important; the important part of something; important things collectively.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important

muchity1534

importance1570

something1582

significancy1656

thing1748

great1787

important1824

big stuff1883

big whoop1988

1824 U.S. Lit. Gaz. 15 Apr. 19/1 His assiduity in searching every where for the useful and the important.

1830 E. Lane Fugitives xiii. 186 I have some thoughts of putting a mark against each sentence that is not of importance, that the reader who may be fond of nothing but the important, may pass such passages over.

1917 E. C. Farnsworth Ideals Mod. Art 32 The unimportant, though in the foreground, is made little, whereas..the important is made large.

1954 Life 26 Apr. 185 (advt.) It proves week after week that the important can be made interesting.

2005 Times 19 May (Career section) 5/2 Work smarter: separate the important from the urgent.

Compounds

important-looking adj.

ΚΠ

1793 J. Thelwall Peripatetic III. 197 But now..uprose, upon a table, an important-looking old gentleman.

1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xxii. 226 An important-looking, sharp-nosed, mysterious-spoken personage.

1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby iii. 45 On a chance we tried an important-looking door.

2009 Financial Times 29 Jan. 7/1 The streets [of Davos] are still full of important-looking people, falling over in the snow.

important-sounding adj.

ΚΠ

1808 Tickler (Philadelphia) 14 Sept. 2/3 Not much relishing Flash's martial frown, and important sounding oaths.

1915 Western Fruit Jobber (Denver) Apr. 31/1 What are you going to call him? Not some high-flown, important-sounding name.., I hope?

2007 D. V. Greenwood Homo Domesticus x. 127 Another therapist charged $180 an hour and made up important-sounding bogus words like ‘distillization’.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	important
释义	importantadj.n. Brit. /ɪmˈpɔːtnt/, U.S. /ᵻmˈpɔrt(ə)nt/ Forms: late Middle English–1600s importante, 1500s ymportant, 1500s–1600s importaunt, 1500s– important, 1600s emportant. Origin: Probably of multiple origins. Probably partly a borrowing from Latin. Probably partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Latin important-, importans; French important. Etymology: Probably partly (i) < post-classical Latin important-, importans momentous (1451; 1408 as importantior, comparative), use as adjective of present participle of classical Latin importāre in its post-classical Latin sense ‘to be of consequence, weight, or force’ (see import v. II.), and partly (ii) (in later use) < Middle French important consequential, weighty, momentous (1528 or earlier; < Italian importante (a1484; 1602 with reference to a person), use as adjective of present participle of importare import v.). Compare Catalan important (1476), Spanish importante (1414), Portuguese importante (c1543), Italian importante (a1484).In sense A. 3 by confusion with importunate adj.; compare similarly quot. 1534 at importunacy n., and also importunance n. With the form emportant compare forms at import v., and ultimately em- prefix. A. adj. I. Of importance. 1. a. That is of great consequence or significance; having a serious or significant effect or influence; consequential, weighty, momentous. Also preceded by an adverb of degree, as more, most, etc., forming a supplementive adjective clause used to modify a clause or sentence: = importantly adv. 1b.The supplementive construction is discussed in R. Quirk et al. Comprehensive Gram. Eng. Lang. (1985) §7.28 (p. 426).See also all-important adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] important1444 substantious1483 sore1530 relevantc1540 importing1579 of great (little, etc.) weight1581 grave1594 dear1598 consequentious1634 concerning1641 of concern1651 consequent1659 weighty1662 interesting1711 capital1724 consequential1728 magnitudinous1777 makulu1899 operative1955 the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > more important moreeOE dominative1639 rather1657 important1894 1444 in H. Nicolas Proc. & Ordinances Privy Council (1837) VI. 316 To thentent þat suche besy and importante sutes be laide aside. 1538 T. Wyatt Let. Cromwell in R. W. Bailey Early Mod. Eng. (1978) 172/1 And affter I had declarid my sayd abstinens from Importunyng hym In his busines my matters being not so muche Important. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. G4 How much auaileable then and important is it, to euerye man to be frequented with learning. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xl. 249 Wee may observe three points of important consequence. 1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. xi. sig. P8 This last and importantest of humane Actions. 1713 J. Addison Cato i. i The great, the important day, big with the fate Of Cato and of Rome. 1760 Hist. Marchioness de Pompadour: Pt. III 184 The important share she has lately taken in publick affairs. 1784 R. Price Let. 6 Apr. in Corr. (1991) II. 215 I look upon the Revolution there as one of the most important events in the History of the world. 1822 J. Parkinson Outl. Oryctol. 161 The most important part of this organ, the continuous siphuncle. 1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 74 Events most important to the understanding of his narrative. 1878 W. de W. Abney Treat. Photogr. xxix. 205 In the doublet lens the position of the diaphragm is important. 1894 Pop. Sci. Monthly Sept. 627 The loss..of efficiency in the transformers, and, even more important, the great cost of that part of the equipment, would both be avoided. 1926 President's Rep. Year 1924–1925 (Univ. Mich.) 167 Most important, this office only places as many houses on the official list as experience guarantees will be filled. 1957 Encycl. Brit. V. 923/1 Cryptology has come to play a very important role in governmental communications. 1968 R. H. W. Brown Gardening Complete vii. 192 One must wait until the soil is damp enough and, more important, warm enough. 1983 S. D. Ross Perspective in Whitehead's Metaphysics 228 First, and least important, we frequently speak of properties in abstraction from actualities. 2006 R. Wacks Philos. of Law v. 86 It is important to note that in Marxist legal theory the law is not regarded as anything special. b. Of a person: having a powerful or influential role in some community; having high rank or status, or great authority. Cf. importance n. 1b. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [adjective] > specifically of people muchc1200 worthya1333 important1581 1581 R. Parsons Discouerie I. Nicols sig. A.iij The great varietie of important learned personages, which..vppon trial of the truthe, doe retourne vnto vs. a1595 T. Digges in T. Digges & D. Digges Foure Paradoxes (1604) i. 37 These important Officers in causes Militarie. 1640 Popes Conclave sig. B3^v Wee..are met to celebrate the Funeralls of the most important Members of our Church. 1698 Let. to A. H. conc. Stage 15 Tragedy..[shows] the..Accidents of Life, to which the most important Persons are subject. 1787 J. L. de Lolme Ess. Union Scotl. with Eng. 2 Having thus got all the important persons of Scotland in his power, he proffered..a claim of sovereignty. 1850 H. Ruffner Fathers of Desert II. xxiv. 246 He..dictated letters to emperors, governors, bishops, and other important individuals. 1914 Athenæum 7 Feb. 196/1 There were audiences to be granted..to governor-generals, important clerics and other highly placed local people. 1979 J. Y. Nicol in M. Siggins Bassett iii. 69 Bassett gave me several letters of introduction to big shots, very, very important people in Paris and Brussels. 2009 Business Day (S. Afr.) (Nexis) 11 June High-ranking Fifa officials and important guests will proceed through the state protocol lounge. c. Of a writer, artist, scientist, etc.: highly significant or influential in the history or development of his or her field; having produced work deserving of attention or consideration. ΚΠ 1593 G. Harvey Pierces Supererogation 58 The aboue-mentioned [sc. Cato, Homer, etc.], and the-like important Autours. 1605 R. Buckland in tr. St. Victor Memorable Hist. Persecution in Africke Pref. p. 10 My preamble to so important an Author. 1749 tr. J. O. de la Mettrie Man a Machine 77 The most important writers have inform'd us of a method whereby we may see the animalcule. 1807 Ann. Rev. & Hist. of Lit. 1806 5 708/1 That school of important artists..who flourished under the patronage of Hadrian. 1898 Studio 12 59/2 Among the important sculptors of the fifteenth century, Luca della Robbia is perhaps least known. 1945 B. Russell Hist. Western Philos. xix. 159 In reading any important philosopher, but most of all in reading Aristotle, it is necessary to study him in two ways. 1978 Washington Post 17 Mar. (Weekend section) 1/3 Such important scientists and inventors as Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright Brothers. 2012 N. Devon Jrnl. (Nexis) 15 Nov. 18 Brecht is regarded as one of the most important playwrights of the 20th century. d. Of a thing: that has notable utility, value, power, or influence; that is especially depended on or has a major part to play.In early use usually with reference to strategic importance. ΚΠ 1593 T. Danett tr. L. Guicciardini Descr. Low Countreys f. 119 Sorle Chasteau is the most important Village in Haynault, with a maruellous strong & an ancient castle. 1615 E. Grimeston tr. P. d'Avity Estates 6 These are the most important reuenues of the Crowne. 1680 R. Morden Geogr. Rectified (1685) 204 Turin..a place very important for the Guard of Italy and fortified with a strong Citadell. 1729 J. Bernardi Short Hist. Life 29 The French had neither Time nor any Opportunity to re-enforce that important Garrison. 1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. xiii. 142 I had now several important Irons in the Fire, and all to be struck whilst hot. 1830 J. Lindley Introd. Nat. Syst. Bot. 278 The yams, so important a food in all tropical countries. 1867 C. L. Bloxam Chemistry 200 The Nordhausen oil of vitriol is an important article of commerce. 1921 Gas Manuf., Distribution & Use (Brit. Commerc. Gas Assoc.) ii. 109/1 Gas ‘conditioning’ ovens are important appliances in Bradford wool factories. 1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest i. 55 In the controlled reaction where a moderator was used, it was the slow neutrons that were most important. 2009 T. Shibamoto & L. Bjeldanes Introd. Food Toxicol. (ed. 2) i. 26 Bone is an important storage site for certain substances. e. Of an antique, a work of art, etc.: that has great monetary value, or is highly regarded by collectors, dealers, experts, etc., typically owing to its quality of production, rarity, or provenance. ΘΚΠ society > trade and finance > monetary value > [adjective] > of great value dearworthc888 richa1225 preciousc1300 cherec1320 of pricea1325 dearworthyc1374 wealthy1565 valurous1590 estimable1600 important1810 gilt-edged1821 1810 Gentleman's Mag. Sept. 240 The library of the late Mr. Gough..was sold by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby in April last... The following were among the most important articles: Abbé Saint Non's Voyage Picturesque, [etc.] 1858 Russell's Mag. Nov. 159/2 A notice of a few of the most beautiful and important medals in this cabinet must close this slight sketch. 1890 Athenæum 19 Apr. 486/3 (advt.) A Pair of important Queen Anne Glasses, in carved and gilt frame. 1904 H. James Golden Bowl II. xlii. 368 The other objects in the room, the other pictures, the sofas, the chairs, the tables, the cabinets, the ‘important’ pieces, supreme in their way, stood out. 1969 Times 18 Mar. 18/1 (advt.) A highly important jewelled binding. 1973 Country Life 15 Nov. 76 An important tortoise shell and ormolu English Bracket Clock..by Robert Hodgkin, London, c1720. 2007 M. Chilton in M. Cassidy-Geiger Fragile Diplomacy xii. 277/1 Debrose was involved in procuring a special gift of an important porcelain service for Horatio Walpole. 2. Of a person, or a person's manner, words, actions, etc.: having an air of importance or consequence; pompous, grandiose, pretentious. Cf. self-important adj. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pride > self-importance > [adjective] buggish1536 puffya1594 important1726 self-important1732 consequential1758 self-consequent1834 gumptious1853 brussen1897 prima donna1897 prima donna-ish1926 over-inflated1934 1726 J. Swift Cadenus & Vanessa 19 Discoursing with important Face, On Ribbons, Fans, and Gloves and Lace. a1732 J. Gay Fables (1738) II. iii. 22 Fowls of all ranks surround his hut, To worship his important strut. 1798 T. Holcroft Diary 16 July in Memoirs (1816) II. 280 He [sc. Johnson] is indeed, a most solemn, pompous, and important coxcomb. 1823 W. Scott Peveril III. xii. 302 The dwarf..making a most important clutter as he extinguished their fire. 1876 J. Weiss Wit, Humor, & Shakespeare iii. 75 Parodying the important phrases and impotent exploits of the suburban constable. 1884 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 332/1 Lotta Hanwell was an important fool, whom the severest shock to her vanity would not have awakened to the fact that she was not of first-rate consequence. 1900 Memphis Med. Monthly Nov. 581 The physician should enter upon his duties, not with a pompous, important or ‘stuck up’ air, but in a matter-of-course, friendly, easy way. 1998 P. J. O'Rourke Eat the Rich 149 The serious and important manner that comes with drinking too much in the daytime. †II. Importunate. 3. Importunate, persistent; urgent, pressing. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > request > [adjective] > importunate onwileOE importune?1406 instant1477 importunate1529 urgent1548 important1591 importuning1599 instancing1606 clamorous1621 precarious1655 craving1668 clamanta1687 1591 A. Colynet True Hist. Ciuill Warres France iii. 138 At whose returne the Q. Mother was very important to haue a third parley with the king of Nauarre. 1594 G. Ellis Let. 4 Mar. in Hist. MSS Comm.: Rep. MSS Duke of Buccleuch (1899) I. 26 in Parl. Papers (C. 9244) XLVI. 1 He hath been very ymportant..to have me ride with him. 1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 63 If the prince be too important, tell him there is measure in euery thing. View more context for this quotation ?1608 S. Lennard tr. P. Charron Of Wisdome iii. vii. 433 Not to bee important to his friends, as they that are alwaies complaining. a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 139 Antipholus my husband, Who I made Lord of me, and all I had, At your important Letters. View more context for this quotation 1750 tr. J. B. L. Crevier Rom. Hist. XV. li. §ii. 319 He had by different wives thirty sons, who..fatigued by their important solicitations the spirits of the weak old man. 1787 W. Jabett 18 Pract. Serm. vii. 119 How can we possibly conceive, that he would torment us with this restless, this important Desire after Happiness? B. n. With the. That which is important; the important part of something; important things collectively. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > [noun] > that which is important muchity1534 importance1570 something1582 significancy1656 thing1748 great1787 important1824 big stuff1883 big whoop1988 1824 U.S. Lit. Gaz. 15 Apr. 19/1 His assiduity in searching every where for the useful and the important. 1830 E. Lane Fugitives xiii. 186 I have some thoughts of putting a mark against each sentence that is not of importance, that the reader who may be fond of nothing but the important, may pass such passages over. 1917 E. C. Farnsworth Ideals Mod. Art 32 The unimportant, though in the foreground, is made little, whereas..the important is made large. 1954 Life 26 Apr. 185 (advt.) It proves week after week that the important can be made interesting. 2005 Times 19 May (Career section) 5/2 Work smarter: separate the important from the urgent. Compounds important-looking adj. ΚΠ 1793 J. Thelwall Peripatetic III. 197 But now..uprose, upon a table, an important-looking old gentleman. 1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xxii. 226 An important-looking, sharp-nosed, mysterious-spoken personage. 1925 F. S. Fitzgerald Great Gatsby iii. 45 On a chance we tried an important-looking door. 2009 Financial Times 29 Jan. 7/1 The streets [of Davos] are still full of important-looking people, falling over in the snow. important-sounding adj. ΚΠ 1808 Tickler (Philadelphia) 14 Sept. 2/3 Not much relishing Flash's martial frown, and important sounding oaths. 1915 Western Fruit Jobber (Denver) Apr. 31/1 What are you going to call him? Not some high-flown, important-sounding name.., I hope? 2007 D. V. Greenwood Homo Domesticus x. 127 Another therapist charged $180 an hour and made up important-sounding bogus words like ‘distillization’. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < adj.n.1444
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