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

The thought filled me with the awful frenzy that so often goes with impotency, such a frenzy as the damned in hell may know.
Bardelys the Magnificent|Rafael Sabatini
This impotency is not found in many other civilizations which we deem inferior.
The Moral and Intellectual Diversity of Races|Arthur, comte de Gobineau
It is a surrender,—that is the only word we can find,—a confession by the human will of its impotency.
The Gospel of St. John|Frederick Denison Maurice
So we are powerless, and by this impotency we are smitten with grief.'
The Gtakaml|rya Sra

It is a sign of laziness and impotency to accept conditions imposed upon us by others who have other ideals than ours.
Nationalism|Rabindranath Tagore

[ ĭm′pə-təns ]

The quality or condition of being impotent.

erectile dysfunction