incontinent

[in-kon-tn-uhnt]

adjective

1. unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces.

2. unable to contain or retain (usually followed byof ).

   incontinent of temper.

3. lacking in moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.

4. unceasing or unrestrained.

   an incontinent flow of talk.

incontinent

¹

/ ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt /

adjective

1. lacking in restraint or control, esp sexually

2. relating to or exhibiting involuntary urination or defecation

3. (foll by of) having little or no control (over)

4. unrestrained; uncontrolled

incontinent

²

/ ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt /

adverb

1. obsolete words for immediately

Other Word Forms

• incontinence noun
• incontinency noun
• incontinently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of incontinent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin incontinent- (stem of incontinēns ); in- ³, continent (adjective)

Word History and Origins

Origin of incontinent¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin incontinens, from _in- ¹ + continere to hold, restrain

Origin of incontinent²

C15: from Late Latin in continentī tempore, literally: in continuous time, that is, with no interval

Example Sentences

According to the descriptions, one was locked in a room for 18 hours on one day, and frequently left without access to a bathroom, despite being incontinent.

From BBC

She temporarily lost use of her legs after an overdose, which also rendered her incontinent.

From BBC

Janette, 67, who was a former carer herself, has dementia and is doubly incontinent.

From BBC

She has a learning disability, hypermobility, is doubly incontinent, and is more susceptible to cancers.

From BBC

Normally, this would be a personal matter, but America really needs to know if Trump is incontinent.

From Salon