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imperfect

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im⋅per⋅fect

  [im-pur-fikt]
Use imperfect in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of, pertaining to, or characterized by defects or weaknesses: imperfect vision.
2. not perfect; lacking completeness: imperfect knowledge.
3. Grammar. noting action or state still in process at some temporal point of reference, particularly 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. 12a).
–noun Grammar.
7. the imperfect tense.
8. another verb formation or construction with imperfect meaning.
9. a form in the imperfect, as Latin portābam, “I was carrying.”
Origin:
1300–50; < L imperfectus unfinished (see im- 2 , perfect ); r. ME imparfit < MF imparfait < L, as above

Related forms:
im⋅per⋅fect⋅ly, adverb
im⋅per⋅fect⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. defective, faulty. 2. incomplete, underdeveloped; immature.

Antonyms:
2. complete, developed.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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im·per·fect   (ĭm-pûr'fĭkt)   
adj.  

  1. Not perfect.

  2. Grammar Of or being the tense of a verb that shows, usually in the past, an action or a condition as incomplete, continuous, or coincident with another action.

  3. Botany Having either stamens or a pistil only. Used of a flower.

  4. Law Not legally enforceable: an imperfect contract.

n.  

  1. A piece of merchandise having a minor flaw that does not impair its use, usually sold at a discount.

  2. Abbr. imp. or imperf. Grammar

    1. The imperfect tense.

    2. A verb in the imperfect tense.


[Middle English imparfit, from Old French imparfait, from Latin imperfectus : in-, not; see in-1 + perfectus, perfect; see perfect.]
im·per'fect·ly adv., im·per'fect·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

imperfect 
c.1340, imperfite, from O.Fr. imparfait, from L. imperfectus "unfinished, incomplete." Replaced mid-1500s by L. form.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: im·per·fect
Function: adjective
: not perfect or complete: as a : not enforceable : enforceable only under certain conditions imperfect obligation> b : lacking an element otherwise required by law —compare PERFECT
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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