Im"po*tence (?), Im"po*ten*cy (?), n. [L. impotenia inability, poverty, want of moderation. See Impotent.] 1. The quality or condition of being impotent; want of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness; inability; imbecility.
Some were poor by impotency of nature; as young fatherless children, old decrepit persons, idiots, and cripples.
Hayward.
O, impotence of mind in body strong!
Milton.
2. Want of self-restraint or self-control. [R.]
Milton.
3. Law& Med. Want of procreative power; inability to copulate, or beget children; also, sometimes, sterility; barrenness.
© Webster 1913. | 
