impotence

[ im-puh-tuhns ]
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noun
  1. the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness.

  2. chronic inability to attain or sustain an erection for the performance of a sexual act.

  1. sterility, especially in the male.

  2. Obsolete. lack of self-restraint.

Origin of impotence

1
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, variant of impotencie, from Latin impotentia “lack of self-control, weakness”; see -ence, im-2, potency
  • Also im·po·ten·cy, im·po·tent·ness .

Words that may be confused with impotence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use impotence in a sentence