IMPOTENT

impotent

(adjective) lacking power or ability; “Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent”- Freeman J.Dyson; “felt impotent rage”

impotent

(adjective) (of a male) unable to copulate

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

impotent (comparative more impotent, superlative most impotent)

lacking physical strength or vigor; weak

Synonyms: feeble, puny, weak

lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless

Synonyms: helpless, powerless

incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection

(of a male) sterile

(obsolete) lacking self-restraint

Synonym: incontinent

Antonyms

• potent

Noun

impotent (plural impotents)

a man who has erectile dysfunction

Synonym: wet noodle

Antonym: priapist

an impotent or powerless person

Source: Wiktionary


Im"po*tent, a. Etym: [F. impotent, L. impotens, -entis; pref. im- not + potens potent, powerful. See Potent.]

1. Not potent; wanting power, strength. or vigor. whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm. There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent inhis feet. Acts xiv. 8. O most lame and impotent conclusion! Shak. Not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save. Addison.

2. Wanting the power of self-restraint; incontrolled; ungovernable; violent. Impotent of tongue, her silence broke. Dryden.

3. (Med.)

Definition: Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren.

Im"po*tent, n.

Definition: One who is imoitent. [R.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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Coffee Trivia

International Coffee Day (September 29) is an occasion to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events occurring in places across the world. A day to promote fair trade coffee and raise awareness for the coffee growers’ plight. Other countries celebrate this event on October 1.

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