| 释义 |
im·perfect
I. \(ˈ)im, əm+\ adjective
Etymology: alteration (influenced by Latin imperfectus) of Middle English imperfit, imparfit, from Middle French imparfait, from Latin imperfectus, from in- in- (I) + perfectus perfect — more at perfect
1.
a. : falling short of perfection : not perfect (as in form, development, or function) : not complete in parts or attributes : not satisfying the standard or ideal : defective, inadequate, incomplete
< had only an imperfect understanding of his task >
< in the imperfect light of the moon — Anthony Trollope >
< what an imperfect husband he had always been — H.G.Wells >
< imperfect mortals >
< drainage of the region is imperfect — Journal of Geology >
b. : diclinous
2. : of, relating to, or being a verb tense used to designate a continuing state or an incomplete action especially in the past
3.
a. in medieval church music
(1) : twofold rather than threefold in time value — used of notation; compare perfect
(2) : having a duple rather than triple rhythm — used of a rhythmic mode
b. : diminished 2
4. : not enforceable at law : lacking some essential element required by law : depending for fulfillment upon moral rather than legal duty
< an imperfect obligation >
: enforceable only under certain conditions : defeasible
< an imperfect mortgage >
< an imperfect grant avoidable by the government >
• im·perfectly \“+\ adverb
• im·perfectness \“+\ noun -es
II. transitive verb
obsolete : to make imperfect
III. \(ˈ)im, əm+\ noun
: an imperfect tense; also : the verb form expressing it |