impuissance

im·pu·is·sance  (m-py-sns, m-pwsns)

n.

Lack of power or effectiveness; weakness.

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[Middle English impuissaunce, from Old French impuissance : in-, not; see in-¹ + puissance, power; see puissance.]

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im·puis·sant adj.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

impuissance - powerlessness revealed by an inability to act; "in spite of their weakness the group remains active" helplessness, weakness impotence, impotency, powerlessness - the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble