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. Compare perfect ( def 11a ).


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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Derived Forms

  • ˈڱ𳦳ٲԱ, noun
  • ˈڱ𳦳ٱ, adverb
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • ··ڱ𳦳· adverb
  • ··ڱ𳦳·Ա noun
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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.

In 1991’s “The Doors,” Oliver Stone pushed the boundaries of a music biopic to make a calamitous, imperfect work that could accurately reflect the spectacle that was Jim Morrison’s life.

From

Pali High resumed classes online Jan. 21, but that was always viewed as an imperfect short-term solution for the 2,445-student school.

From

It was an imperfect outing for Snell, who despite owning two Cy Youngs still is known for a lack of consistent efficiency, having topped 130 innings just twice in his nine-year career.

From

There’s more beauty and fascination in an imperfect film that surrenders to its flaws, urging its artists to build around them.

From

I am very aware at moments like this that we have an imperfect picture of what is to come.

From

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