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Webster 1913 Edition


Impotent

Im′po-tent

,
Adj.
[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!
Shakespeare
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.

Im′po-tent

,
Noun.
One who is impotent.
[R.]
Shak.

Webster 1828 Edition


Impotent

IM'POTENT

,
Adj.
[L. impotens.]
1.
Weak; feeble; wanting strength or power; unable by nature, or disabled by disease or accident to perform any act.
I know thou wast not slow to hear,
Nor impotent to save.
2.
Wanting the power of propagation, as males.
3.
Wanting the power of restraint; not having the command over; as impotent of tongue.

IM'POTENT

,
Noun.
One who is feeble, infirm, or languishing under disease.

Definition 2024


impotent

impotent

English

Adjective

impotent (comparative more impotent, superlative most impotent)

  1. Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak.
  2. Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless
    • Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent (Freeman J. Dyson).
  3. Incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection.
  4. (of a male) Sterile.
  5. (obsolete) Lacking self-restraint.
    • Dryden
      Impotent of tongue, her silence broke.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

impotent (plural impotents)

  1. An impotent or powerless person.

French

Adjective

impotent m (feminine singular impotente, masculine plural impotents, feminine plural impotentes)

  1. infirm, disabled
  2. impotent

Middle French

Adjective

impotent m (feminine singular impotente, masculine plural impotens, feminine plural impotentes)

  1. impotent (incapable of sexual intercourse)