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impotence
/ˈɪmpətəns/
inability to perform sexually
His doctor diagnosed him with impotence after years of struggling with erectile dysfunction.
The doctor confirmed his inability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Medicine
Medical
The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse.
The patient's impotence was successfully treated with medication.
The medication helped the patient regain the ability to have erections.
Also referred to as erectile dysfunction (ED).
figurative
The state of being powerless or ineffective in a general sense.
The government's impotence in the face of the crisis was widely criticized.
The government was unable to take effective action during the crisis.
This figurative use is less common than the medical definition.
Collocations
sexual impotenceinability to perform sexuallypolitical impotencelack of political power or influence
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Medical vs. Figurative Use
Be aware that 'impotence' primarily refers to erectile dysfunction in medical contexts, but it can also describe a lack of power in a general sense.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Do not use 'impotence' to describe temporary or situational difficulties; it refers to a persistent condition.
Word Origin
From Latin 'impotentia', meaning 'lack of power or ability'.
Usage Notes
The term is most commonly used in medical contexts to describe erectile dysfunction. In a figurative sense, it can describe a lack of power or effectiveness in a broader context.
Word Breakdown
im-
not
prefix-potence
power or ability
rootEnglish Dictionary