incontinent
[in-kon-tn-uh nt]
- unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces.
- unable to contain or retain (usually followed by of): incontinent of temper.
- lacking in moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.
- unceasing or unrestrained: an incontinent flow of talk.
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Origin of incontinent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
incontinent1
- lacking in restraint or control, esp sexually
- relating to or exhibiting involuntary urination or defecation
- (foll by of) having little or no control (over)
- unrestrained; uncontrolled
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French, from Latin incontinens, from in- 1 + continere to hold, restrain
incontinent2
incontinently
- obsolete words for immediately
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Word Origin
C15: from Late Latin in continentī tempore, literally: in continuous time, that is, with no interval
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for in-continent
incontinent
adj.
late 14c., "wanting in self restraint," from Old French incontinent, from Latin incontinentem (nominative incontinens) "incontinent, immoderate, intemperate," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + continens (see continent). Originally chiefly of sexual appetites; sense of "unable to control bowels or bladder" first attested 1828.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
incontinent
(ĭn-kŏn′tə-nənt)- Lacking normal voluntary control of excretory functions.
- Lacking sexual restraint; unchaste.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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