Imperfect vs. Perfect
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Imperfect
The imperfect (abbreviated IMPERF) is a verb form, found in various languages, which combines past tense (reference to a past time) and imperfective aspect (reference to a continuing or repeated event or state). It can therefore have meanings similar to the English "was walking" or "used to walk." It contrasts with preterite forms, which refer to a single completed event in the past.
Traditionally, the imperfect of languages such as Latin and French is referred to as one of the tenses, although in fact it encodes aspectual information in addition to tense (time reference). It may be more precisely called past imperfective.'
English is an example of a language with no general imperfective and expresses it via different ways (see below and Imperfective aspect in English). When the term "imperfect" used in relation to English it refers to forms much more commonly called past progressive or past continuous (like was doing or were doing). These are combinations of past tense with specifically continuous or progressive aspect.
The term can take on specific conventional meanings in the grammars of particular languages. In German, Imperfekt was used to refer to the simply conjugated past tense (to contrast with the Perfekt or compound past form), but the term Präteritum (preterite) is now preferred, since the form does not carry any implication of imperfective aspect.
"Imperfect" comes from the Latin imperfectus "unfinished", because the imperfect expresses an ongoing, uncompleted action. The equivalent Ancient Greek term was paratatikós "prolonged".
Imperfect (adjective)
not perfect
"defective|fallible|faultful"
"faultless|infallible|perfect"
Imperfect (adjective)
unisexual: having either male (with stamens) or female (with pistil) flowers, but not with both.
"perfect"
Imperfect (adjective)
known or expected to be polyphyletic, as of a form taxon.
Imperfect (adjective)
lacking some elementary organ that is essential to successful or normal activity.
Imperfect (adjective)
belonging to a tense of verbs used in describing a past action that is incomplete or continuous
Imperfect (noun)
something having a minor flaw
Imperfect (noun)
a tense of verbs used in describing a past action that is incomplete or continuous
"preterimperfect"
Imperfect (verb)
to make imperfect
Perfect (adjective)
Fitting its definition precisely.
"a perfect circle"
Perfect (adjective)
Having all of its parts in harmony with a common purpose.
"That bucket with the hole in the bottom is a poor bucket, but it is perfect for watering plants."
Perfect (adjective)
Without fault or mistake; thoroughly skilled or talented.
"Practice makes perfect."
Perfect (adjective)
Excellent and delightful in all respects.
"a perfect day"
Perfect (adjective)
Representing a completed action.
Perfect (adjective)
Sexually mature and fully differentiated.
Perfect (adjective)
Of flowers, having both male (stamens) and female (carpels) parts.
Perfect (adjective)
Of a set, that it is equal to its set of limit points, i.e. set A is perfect if A=A'.
Perfect (adjective)
Describing an interval or any compound interval of a unison, octave, or fourths and fifths that are not tritones.
Perfect (adjective)
Made with equal parts of sweet and dry vermouth.
"a perfect Manhattan;"
"a perfect Rob Roy"
Perfect (adjective)
Well informed; certain; sure.
Perfect (noun)
The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
Perfect (noun)
A perfect score; the achievement of finishing a stage or task with no mistakes.
Perfect (verb)
To make perfect; to improve or hone.
"I am going to perfect this article."
"You spend too much time trying to perfect your dancing."
Perfect (verb)
To take an action, usually the filing of a document in the correct venue, that secures a legal right.
"perfect an appeal; perfect an interest; perfect a judgment"
Imperfect (adjective)
Not perfect; not complete in all its parts; wanting a part; deective; deficient.
Imperfect (adjective)
Wanting in some elementary organ that is essential to successful or normal activity.
Imperfect (adjective)
Not fulfilling its design; not realizing an ideal; not conformed to a standard or rule; not satisfying the taste or conscience; esthetically or morally defective.
Imperfect (noun)
The imperfect tense; or the form of a verb denoting the imperfect tense.
Imperfect
To make imperfect.
Perfect (adjective)
Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not defective nor redundant; having all the properties or qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw, fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure; sound; right; correct.
Perfect (adjective)
Well informed; certain; sure.
Perfect (adjective)
Hermaphrodite; having both stamens and pistils; - said of flower.
Perfect (noun)
The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
Perfect
To make perfect; to finish or complete, so as to leave nothing wanting; to give to anything all that is requisite to its nature and kind.
Imperfect (noun)
a tense of verbs used in describing action that is on-going
Imperfect (adjective)
not perfect; defective or inadequate;
"had only an imperfect understanding of his responsibilities"
"imperfect mortals"
"drainage here is imperfect"
Imperfect (adjective)
having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings;
"I'm only human"
"frail humanity"
Perfect (noun)
a tense of verbs used in describing action that has been completed (sometimes regarded as perfective aspect)
Perfect (verb)
make perfect or complete;
"perfect your French in Paris!"
Perfect (adjective)
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish;
"a perfect circle"
"a perfect reproduction"
"perfect happiness"
"perfect manners"
"a perfect specimen"
"a perfect day"
Perfect (adjective)
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers;
"an arrant fool"
"a complete coward"
"a consummate fool"
"a double-dyed villain"
"gross negligence"
"a perfect idiot"
"pure folly"
"what a sodding mess"
"stark staring mad"
"a thoroughgoing villain"
"utter nonsense"
Perfect (adjective)
precisely accurate or exact;
"perfect timing"
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