Etymology
Origin of impotence
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, variant of impotencie, from Latin impotentia “lack of self-control, weakness”; -ence, im- 2, potency
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He was sixteen at the time of the invasion and shared with other Dutch teenagers the restless energy of anger and impotence.
From Literature
Statins do not cause the majority of the possible side effects listed, including memory loss, depression, sleep disturbance, weight gain and impotence, says the team funded by the British Heart Foundation.
From BBC
The treatment itself can also cause incontinence and impotence, which can significantly affect quality of life.
From BBC
The treatment itself can cause incontinence and impotence, which can significantly affect quality of life.
From BBC
“We found evidence. And now they tell us it is not the case. One feels a great sense of impotence.”
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
