impertinently, adv.
(ɪmˈpɜːtɪnəntlɪ)
[f. impertinent + -ly2.]
In an impertinent manner.
1. Without reference or relation to the subject in hand; not to the point; away from the matter or purpose; irrelevantly. Now rare.
| c 1449 Pecock Repr. iv. iv. 442 Forto so inpertynentli speke. 1563 Homilies ii. Cert. places Script. ii. (1859) 380 Yet is there nothing so impertinently uttered in all the whole book of the Bible, but may serve to spiritual purpose. 1626 Jackson Creed viii. iv. §7 A maxime..most impertinently applied to the point now in question. 1736 Chandler Hist. Persec. 452 How impertinently are both these instances alledged! 1838–9 Hallam Hist. Lit. II. iii. i. §7. 374 A profusion of learning is scattered all around, but not pedantically or impertinently. |
† 2. Inappropriately, unseasonably, incongruously; in a way contrary to reason, good sense, or propriety; improperly, unbecomingly. Obs.
| 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. 83 The blessedst of mortall Wights..began to be so impertinently importund, that a great part of Divine Liturgy was addressd solely to her. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. viii. (1848) 124 If..a Man speak either Unseasonably, erroneously, or Impertinently, he may, though he say little, talk too much. 1748 Smollett Rod. Rand. lxv. (1804) 475, I cannot help being impertinently circumstantial. a 1797 H. Walpole Mem. Geo. II (1847) I. i. 19 The brutum fulmen was applied to those who urged him with the orders of the House impertinently. |
† b. To no purpose; with no effect. Obs.
| 1614 B. Jonson Barth. Fair iv. iv, I do thinke how impertinently I labour. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. (1848) 75 Half this precious time we impertinently trifle, or squander away. 1816 Coleridge Lay Serm. 335 To be impertinently busy, doing that which conduceth to no good purpose. 1823 Lamb Elia, Art. Com. Last C., Like Don Quixote, we take part against the puppets, and quite as impertinently. |
3. Intrusively, presumptuously, saucily; in a manner contrary to what is due towards superiors or strangers (see impertinent 5).
| 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. §110 He was impertinently sollicitous to know what her Majesty said of him in private. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 79 ¶9 She is impertinently Blunt to all her Acquaintance. 1795 Phantoms of Cloister I. 170 He very impertinently walked up to her, and attempted to take her by the hand. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. vii. 46, I would not interfere impertinently for the world. Mod. The maid answered her mistress most impertinently. |