impotency
/'impətəns/ Cách viết khác : (impotency) /'impətəns/ (impotentness) /'impətəntnis/
Definition
- Noun:
- Inability to copulate (usually of a male animal or human): The condition of being unable to perform sexual intercourse, often specifically referring to erectile dysfunction in males.
- Lack of strength or power; weakness and feebleness: The quality or state of being powerless, ineffective, or unable to act or produce an effect.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Medical/Physical):
- The doctor discussed treatments for his impotency.
- Age and certain health conditions can lead to impotency.
- Noun (General Powerlessness):
- The impotency of the government in the face of the crisis was alarming.
- She felt a sense of impotency when her suggestions were ignored.
Advanced Usage
- "Political impotency": The inability of a political body or leader to enact change or exert influence.
- The minority party complained about its political impotency against the ruling coalition.
- "Feelings of impotency": A psychological state of perceiving oneself as powerless.
- Watching the disaster unfold on TV filled him with feelings of impotency.
Variants and Related Words
- Impotence (n): The more common variant, identical in meaning to 'impotency'.
- The words 'impotence' and 'impotency' are often used interchangeably.
- Impotent (adj): Lacking power or ability; unable to copulate.
- The once-feared general was now an impotent old man.
- He felt impotent to help.
Synonyms
- Powerlessness: Lack of ability, influence, or power.
- Ineffectiveness: The quality of not producing any significant or desired effect.
- Weakness: The state of lacking strength.
- Sterility (in specific biological/incapacity contexts): Inability to reproduce.
Antonyms
- Potency: Power, effectiveness; specifically, the ability to copulate or reproduce.
- Strength: The quality or state of being physically or mentally strong.
- Power: The ability to do something or act in a particular way.
Notes on Usage
- In modern medical and everyday contexts, "erectile dysfunction (ED)" is the preferred and more precise term for the sexual condition, as it is less laden with broader connotations of weakness. "Impotency/impotence" is still understood but can be considered somewhat dated or blunt in this sense.
- The term is often used in broader, figurative contexts (e.g., political, social, mechanical) to describe a profound lack of force or efficacy.
Noun
-
an inability (usually of the male animal) to copulate
-
the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble
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