incontinent

[ in-kon-tn-uhnt ]

adjective

1. unable to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urine or feces.
2. unable to contain or retain (usually followed by of ):

   incontinent of temper.

3. lacking in moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.
4. unceasing or unrestrained:

   an incontinent flow of talk.

incontinent

¹

/ ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt /

adverb

1. obsolete words for immediately

incontinent

²

/ ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt /

adjective

1. lacking in restraint or control, esp sexually
2. relating to or exhibiting involuntary urination or defecation
3. foll by of having little or no control (over)
4. unrestrained; uncontrolled

Derived Forms

• inˈcontinence, noun
• inˈcontinently, adverb

Other Words From

• in·conti·nence in·conti·nen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incontinent¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of incontinent¹

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

Origin of incontinent²

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

Example Sentences

For example, he became incontinent and his personality was very changed.

From Nautilus

The famously unscripted, undisciplined, verbally incontinent VP tends to offer a little something for everyone.

From The Daily Beast

What followed for eight years could have been more accurately called “Incontinent conservatism.”

From The Daily Beast

For the incontinent, whether in the bonds of wedlock or not, Gods direct, providential judgments will overtake.

From Project Gutenberg

Ceux qui estoient dedans n'allerent pas incontinent fond, ils s'attacherent quelque temps la challouppe.

From Project Gutenberg

All his feelings were of the same incontinent maudlin kind, easily flowing into temptation, and subjecting themselves to a ruler.

From Project Gutenberg

It was so now; but the more part melted away incontinent until but three were left.

From Project Gutenberg

She threw up her chin and made a step and a cry at me, so that I fell back incontinent.

From Project Gutenberg