Word of the Day - 09/17/26
impertinent
/ɪm'pɜrtənənt/(adj.): improperly forward, bold, or rude
The student's impertinent remarks to the teacher earned him a detention.
(adj.): not pertinent
During the serious debate, his impertinent comments about the weather were out of place.
Word Origin
The word 'impertinent' originates from Late Latin 'impertinentem' (nominative 'impertinens'), meaning 'not pertaining'. It is formed from the prefix 'im-' (not) and 'pertinens', the present participle of 'pertinere' (to pertain). 'Pertinere' itself is composed of 'per-' (through, thoroughly) and 'tenere' (to hold). Thus, 'impertinent' literally means 'not holding thoroughly to' or 'not relevant', which evolved to mean rude or insolent for speaking or acting in a way that is not appropriate or relevant to the situation.
Words with similar origins include 'pertinent', which shares the same root 'pertinere'. Other words derived from the Latin 'tenere' (to hold) include 'pertain', 'tenant', 'tenacious', 'contain', 'detain', 'maintain', 'retain', 'sustain', and 'obtain'.