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impotence

[ im-puh-tuhns ]
/ ˈɪm pə təns /
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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.

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”

Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
their
there
they're
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Also im·po·ten·cy, im·po·tent·ness .

Origin of impotence

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, variant of impotencie, from Latin impotentia “lack of self-control, weakness”; see -ence, im-2, potency

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH impotence

1. impetus, impotence 2. importance, impotence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to impotence

infertility, powerlessness, helplessness, barrenness, unproductiveness, feebleness, infirmity, erectile dysfunction, infecundity

Example sentences from the Web for impotence

Medical definitions for impotence

impotence
[ ĭm′pə-təns ]

n.

The quality or condition of being impotent.
erectile dysfunction
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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