impotence

[im-puh-tuh ns]

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 impotency

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

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.

Medicine definitions for impotency

impotence

[ĭm′pə-təns]

n.

The quality or condition of being impotent.

erectile dysfunction