1. Manque de pouvoir, de moyens pour faire quelque chose. Le gouvernement se trouva dès lors comme frappé d'impuissance.
2. Incapacité totale ou partielle, pour un homme, d'avoir des rapports sexuels : troubles de l'érection, de l'éjaculation ou malformation.
ETYM Latin impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. Related to Impotent.
An inability (usually of a male) to copulate; SYN. impotency.
In medicine, a physical inability to perform sexual intercourse (the term is not usually applied to women). Impotent men fail to achieve an erection, and this may be due to illness, the effects of certain drugs, or psychological factors.
General fatigue or lack of interest may also cause impotence. Treatment for ongoing impotence includes counseling, behavioral therapy, and surgical implants.
ETYM Pref. in- not + ability: cf. French inhabileté. Related to Able, Unable.
1. Lack of ability (especially mental ability) to do something.
2. Lacking the power to perform; SYN. unfitness.