impotence
[ im-puh-tuh ns ]
/ ˈɪm pə təns /
|
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
impostor, impostor syndrome, impostume, imposture, imposure, impotence, impotent, impound, impoundment, impoverish, impoverished
Also im·po·ten·cy, im·po·tent·ness.
Origin of impotence
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 impotency
Word Origin and History for impotency
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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for impotency
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.