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incontinence

 [in-kon-tn-uhnt]   Example Sentences Origin

in·con·ti·nent

   [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.
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Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin incontinent- (stem of incontinēns). See in-3, continent (adj.)

Related forms
in·con·ti·nence, in·con·ti·nen·cy, noun

Can be confused: incontinent, inconsistent (see synonym note at inconsistent).
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Incontinence is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Example Sentences
  • Urinary incontinence is the inability to control urination.
  • By the time they go into nursing care, their condition has often deteriorated to include immobility, incontinence and dementia.
  • Fistulas, the internal ruptures that can lead to lifelong incontinence.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
incontinent1 (ɪnˈkɒntɪnənt)
 
—adj
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
 
[C14: from Old French, from Latin incontinens, from in-1 + continere to hold, restrain]
 
in'continence1
 
—n
 
in'continency1
 
—n
 
in'continently1
 
—adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

incontinent
c.1380, "wanting in self restraint," from O.Fr. incontinent, from L. incontinentem, from in- "not" + continent (see continent). Originally chiefly of sexual appetites; sense of "unable to control bowels or bladder" first attested 1828.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

incontinence in·con·ti·nence (ĭn-kŏn'tə-nəns)
n.

  1. The inability to control excretory functions.

  2. Lack of restraint in sexual relations; immoderation.

incontinent in·con·ti·nent (ĭn-kŏn'tə-nənt)
adj.

  1. Lacking normal voluntary control of excretory functions.

  2. Lacking sexual restraint; unchaste.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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