51Թ

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View synonyms for

imperfect

[im-pur-fikt]

adjective

  1. relating to or characterized by defects or weaknesses.

    With my imperfect vision I couldn’t make out the street name.

    Synonyms: ,
  2. not perfect; lacking completeness.

    Human knowledge on all subjects is imperfect.

    Synonyms: , ,
    Antonyms:
  3. Grammar.designating a verb aspect, tense, or other verb category used to express an action or state still in process at some point of reference in time, especially in the past.

  4. Law.being without legal effect or support; unenforceable.

  5. Botany.(of a flower) diclinous.

  6. Music.of or relating to the interval of a major or minor third or sixth.



noun

Grammar.
    1. in some languages, a verb aspect, tense, or other verb category used to express an action or state still in process at some point of reference in time, especially in the past.

    2. an instance or form of a specific verb in such an aspect, tense, or construction, such as Latin ǰ “I was carrying.”

imperfect

/ ɪˈɜːɪ /

adjective

  1. exhibiting or characterized by faults, mistakes, etc; defective

  2. not complete or finished; deficient

  3. botany

    1. (of flowers) lacking functional stamens or pistils

    2. (of fungi) not undergoing sexual reproduction

  4. grammar denoting a tense of verbs used most commonly in describing continuous or repeated past actions or events, as for example was walking as opposed to walked

  5. law (of a trust, an obligation, etc) lacking some necessary formality to make effective or binding; incomplete; legally unenforceable See also executory

  6. music

    1. (of a cadence) proceeding to the dominant from the tonic, subdominant, or any chord other than the dominant

    2. of or relating to all intervals other than the fourth, fifth, and octave Compare perfect

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. grammar

    1. the imperfect tense

    2. a verb in this tense

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • imperfectly adverb
  • imperfectness noun
  • ˈڱ𳦳ٲԱ noun
  • ˈڱ𳦳ٱ adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of imperfect1

First recorded in 1300–50; from Latin imperfectus “unfinished”; equivalent to im- 2 + perfect; replacing Middle English imparfit, from Middle French imparfait, from Latin, as above
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Not everything makes perfect, or even imperfect, sense.

From

It’s part of what’s messy and splendid and complicated about this blended, imperfect corner of the world, where many of us know students or workers or families with temporary status, or none at all.

From

As a historian but also as a citizen, I never forget the key difference between an imperfect democracy and a total dictatorship.

From

Joel is an imperfect figure, but we’re moved to bond with him and agree with Ellie that he didn’t deserve to die.

From

Evidently, half the electorate grew bored, confused and uncomfortable living in a free country, however imperfect it may have been.

From

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