impotence

[ im-puh-tuh ns ]

/ ˈɪm pə təns /

the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness.

chronic inability to attain or sustain an erection for the performance of a sexual act.

sterility, especially in the male.

Obsolete. lack of self-restraint.

Nearby words

Also im·po·ten·cy, im·po·tent·ness.

1375–1425; late Middle English, variant (see -ence) of impotencie < Latin impotentia want of self-control, weakness. See im-², potency

impetus impotence sterilityimportance impotence (see synonym study at importance)impotence sterility sterilized

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Brinkley explained that despite all the recent advances in medicine, there still was nothing to be done for impotence.
The Strange, True Tale of the Old-Timey Goat Testicle-Implanting 'Governor'|Penny Lane|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is the height of cynicism, combined with an admission of impotence.
Border Kids Crisis—Impotent Congress|John Avlon|July 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Male infertility was extremely stigmatic: it was falsely conflated with impotence.
Israel’s Sperm Clinic Crisis|Alastair Sloan|March 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
European history also suggests the impotence of criminal law in these matters.
How (Not) to Fight Racism and Anti-Semitism|Jacob Mchangama|February 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The reason, Foster argues, is that impotence implies a lack of virility, a lack of manliness.
What the Sex Lives of the Founding Fathers Reveal About Us|Eric Herschthal|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Wotan appears, and taunts him with his impotence, telling him meanwhile of Siegfried's speedy arrival.
The Opera|R.A. Streatfeild
The mood of impotence, of dissatisfaction, was on him, and was not to be shaken off.
The Silver Poppy|Arthur Stringer
Another feeling took its place—the crushing sense of his impotence.
The Captain of the Janizaries|James M. Ludlow
The painful sense of his impotence to show his feelings in some way or other made him most unhappy.
The Burning Secret|Stefan Zweig
He lashed at his own impotence, for the ignominy of his position increased with his growing consciousness.
King John of Jingalo|Laurence Housman

[ ĭm′pə-təns ]

The quality or condition of being impotent.

erectile dysfunction