impotence

[ im-puh-tuh ns ]

/ ˈɪm pə təns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impotence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Origin of impotence

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

Can be confusedimpetus 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

Examples from the Web for impotence

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
The mood of impotence, of dissatisfaction, was on him, and was not to be shaken off.
The Silver Poppy|Arthur Stringer
Wotan appears, and taunts him with his impotence, telling him meanwhile of Siegfried's speedy arrival.
The Opera|R.A. Streatfeild
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

Word Origin and History for impotence

impotence

early 15c., "physical weakness," also "poverty," from Middle French impotence "weakness," from Latin impotentia "lack of control or power," from impotentem (nominative impotens); see impotent. In reference to a want of (male) sexual potency, from c.1500. The figurative senses of the word in Latin were "violence, fury, unbridled passion." Related: Impotency.

Medicine definitions for impotence

impotence

[ ĭm′pə-təns ]

n.

The quality or condition of being impotent.

erectile dysfunction

impotence

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of impotence

Examples from the Web for impotence

impotence

impotence

n.