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impuissant

[ im-pyoo-uh-suhnt, im-pyoo-is-uhnt, im-pwis-uhnt ]
/ ɪmˈpyu ə sənt, ˌɪm pyuˈɪs ənt, ɪmˈpwɪs ənt /
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adjective
lacking strength; feeble; weak.
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Origin of impuissant

From Middle French, dating back to 1620–30; see origin at im-2, puissant

OTHER WORDS FROM impuissant

im·pu·is·sance, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use impuissant in a sentence

  • L'agent revint impuissant vers son collègue, insista encore auprès d'Arsay en finissant par élever la voix.

    Histoires grises|E. Edouard Tavernier

British Dictionary definitions for impuissant

impuissant
/ (ɪmˈpjuːɪsənt, ɪmˈpwiː-) /

adjective
powerless, ineffectual, feeble, or impotent

Derived forms of impuissant

impuissance, noun

Word Origin for impuissant

C17: from French: powerless
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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