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incontinent

[ in-kon-tn-uhnt ]
/ ɪnˈkɒn tn ənt /
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See synonyms for: incontinent / incontinence / incontinency on Thesaurus.com

adjective
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

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin incontinent- (stem of incontinēns ); see in-3, continent (adjective)

OTHER WORDS FROM incontinent

in·con·ti·nence, in·con·ti·nen·cy, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH incontinent

incontinent , inconsistent
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use incontinent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for incontinent (1 of 2)

incontinent1
/ (ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt) /

adjective
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

Derived forms of incontinent

incontinence or incontinency, nounincontinently, adverb

Word Origin for incontinent

C14: from Old French, from Latin incontinens, from in- 1 + continere to hold, restrain

British Dictionary definitions for incontinent (2 of 2)

incontinent2

incontinently

/ (ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt) /

adverb
obsolete words for immediately

Word Origin for incontinent

C15: from Late Latin in continentī tempore, literally: in continuous time, that is, with no interval
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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