definitions

impuissant

[ im-pyoo-uh-suh nt, im-pyoo-is-uh nt, im-pwis-uh nt ]
/ ɪmˈpyu ə sənt, ˌɪm pyuˈɪs ənt, ɪmˈpwɪs ənt /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR impuissant ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

lacking strength; feeble; weak.

RELATED WORDS

weak, impotent, unfit, incapable, inadequate, helpless, powerless, shaky, uncertain, hesitant, weakened, fragile, anemic, sickly, wobbly, frail, sluggish, feeble, unsteady, clumsy

Nearby words

impsonite, impudence, impudent, impudicity, impugn, impuissant, impulse, impulse buying, impulse control disorder, impulse turbine, impulsion

Origin of impuissant

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

Related forms

im·pu·is·sance, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for impuissant

impuissant

/ (ɪmˈpjuːɪsənt, ɪmˈpwiː-) /

adjective

powerless, ineffectual, feeble, or impotent

Derived Forms

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