English Explanatory Dictionary

imperfect

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Not perfect,
  2. Unisexual: having either male (with stamens) or female (with pistil) flowers, but not with both.
  3. Known or expected to be polyphyletic, as of a form taxon.
  4. Representing a continuing or repeated action.
  5. Lacking some elementary organ that is essential to successful or normal activity.
noun
  1. Something having a minor flaw.
  2. A tense of verbs used in describing a past action that is incomplete or continuous.
verb
  1. to make imperfect

Pronunciation

/ɪmˈpɜː(ɹ)fɪkt/ /ɪmˈpɜː(ɹ)fɛkt/ en-us-imperfect.ogg /ɪmpə(ɹ)ˈfɛkt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-imperfect.wav

Word forms

imperfect more imperfect most imperfect imperfects imperfecting imperfected

Etymology

From Middle English imperfit, from Old French imparfit (modern French imparfait), from Latin imperfectus. Spelling modified 15c. to conform Latin etymology. See im- + perfect.

Synonyms

defective fallible faultful faulty preterimperfect

Antonyms

faultless infallible perfect

Related words

imperfection

Derived words

imperfect authentic cadence imperfect fungi imperfect indicative imperfectly imperfectness imperfect rhyme imperfect subjunctive imperfect tense imperfect time past imperfect tense present imperfect imperfective
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