online medical dictionary | definition of impotent

1. Not potent; wanting power, strength. Or vigor. Whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm. "There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent inhis feet." (Acts xiv. 8) "O most lame and impotent conclusion!" (Shak) "Not slow to hear, Nor impotent to save." (Addison)

2. Wanting the power of self-restraint; incontrolled; ungovernable; violent. "Impotent of tongue, her silence broke." (Dryden)

3. <medicine> Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren.

Origin: F. Impotent, L. Impotens, -entis; pref. Im- not + potens potent, powerful. See Potent.

(01 Mar 1998)