IMPOTENCE

powerlessness, impotence, impotency

(noun) the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble

impotence, impotency

(noun) an inability (usually of the male animal) to copulate

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

impotence (usually uncountable, plural impotences)

Powerlessness; incapacity.

Inability to copulate or beget children; sterility, erectile dysfunction, etc.

Source: Wiktionary


Im"po*tence, Im"po*ten*cy, n. Etym: [L. impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. See Impotent.]

1. The quality or condition of being impotent; want of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness; inability; imbecility. Some were poor by impotency of nature; as young fatherless children, old decrepit persons, idiots, and cripples. Hayward. O, impotence of mind in body strong! Milton.

2. Want of self-restraint or self-control. [R.] Milton.

3. (Law & Med.)

Definition: Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

16 June 2025

WINEBERRY

(noun) raspberry of China and Japan having pale pink flowers grown for ornament and for the small red acid fruits


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Coffee Trivia

In the 18th century, the Swedish government made coffee and its paraphernalia (including cups and dishes) illegal for its supposed ties to rebellious sentiment.

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