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Impotence - 6 dictionary results

im⋅po⋅tence

[im-puh-tuhns]
–noun
1. the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness.
2. chronic inability to attain or sustain an erection for the performance of a sexual act.
3. sterility, esp. in the male.
4. Obsolete. lack of self-restraint.
Also, im⋅po⋅ten⋅cy, im⋅po⋅tent⋅ness.


Origin:
1375–1425; late ME, var. (see -ence ) of impotencie < L impotentia want of self-control, weakness. See im- 2 , potency
erectile dysfunction  
n.   Abbr. ED
The inability to achieve penile erection or to maintain an erection until ejaculation. Also called impotence.
im·po·tence   (ĭm'pə-təns)   
n.  
  1. The quality or condition of being impotent.
  2. See erectile dysfunction.

Impotence

Im"po*tence\, Impotency \Im"po*ten*cy\, n. [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.) Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.

Main Entry: im·po·tence
Pronunciation: 'im-p&t-&n(t)s
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of not being potentimpotence of antibiotics>
2 : an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized byinability to copulate because of failure to have or maintain an erection called also erectile dysfunction

impotence im·po·tence (ĭm'pə-təns) or im·po·ten·cy (-tən-sē)
n.
The quality or condition of being impotent.

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