Noun | 1. | imperfect - a tense of verbs used in describing action that is on-going |
Adj. | 1. | imperfect - not perfect; defective or inadequate; "had only an imperfect understanding of his responsibilities"; "imperfect mortals"; "drainage here is imperfect" Antonyms: perfect - 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" |
2. | imperfect - having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings; "I'm only human"; "frail humanity" |
IMPERFECT. That which is incomplete.
2. This term is applied to rights and obligations. A man has a right to
be relieved by his fellow-creatures, when in distress; but this right he
cannot enforce by law; hence it is called an imperfect right. On the other
hand, we are bound to be grateful for favors received, but we cannot be
compelled to perform such imperfect obligations. Vide Poth. Ob. arc.
Preliminaire; Vattel, Dr. des Gens, Prel. notes, Sec. 17; and Obligations.