Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
1,016,905,864 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

impotent

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
im·po·tent  (mp-tnt)
adj.
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.
a. Incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection.
b. Sterile. Used of males.
4. Obsolete Lacking self-restraint.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin impotns, impotent- : in-, not; see in-1 + potns, potent; see potent.]

impo·tent·ly adv.

impotent [imp-a-tent]
Adjective
1. not having the power to influence people or events
2. (of a man) incapable of sexual intercourse
impotence n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.impotent - lacking power or ability; "Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent"- Freeman J.Dyson; "felt impotent rage"
infertile, sterile, unfertile - incapable of reproducing; "an infertile couple"
powerless - lacking power
potent, stiff, strong - having a strong physiological or chemical effect; "a potent toxin"; "potent liquor"; "a potent cup of tea", "a stiff drink"
2.impotent - (of a male) unable to copulate
virile, potent - (of a male) capable of copulation

impotent
Translations

impotent [ˈɪmpətənt] adjimpotente
impotent [ˈɪmpətnt] adjimpuissant(e)
impotent [ˈɪmpətnt] impotence adjmachtlos;
(Med) → impotent
impotent [ˈɪmpətnt] adjimpotente

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
But if neither time nor place be known, then the left wing will be impotent to succor the right, the right equally impotent to succor the left, the van unable to relieve the rear, or the rear to support the van.
Power they seek for, and above all, the lever of power, much money--these impotent ones!
"Well, of all the--" ejaculated the man, with an oddly impotent gesture.
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a. Terms of Use.