incontinency
Definition
Noun: 1. The inability to control the discharge of bodily excretions, especially urine or feces: This is the primary medical and formal meaning, referring to a lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation. 2. Lack of self-restraint, especially in sexual desire (archaic): In older or literary contexts, it can refer to a general lack of moderation or chastity. This usage is now rare.
Usage Examples
- Medical context:
- The patient's incontinency required the use of protective garments.
- After the surgery, he experienced temporary incontinency.
- Archaic/Literary context:
- The moralists of the era condemned him for his incontinency. (This example illustrates the outdated usage.)
Advanced Usage
- "Urinary incontinency": Specifies the inability to control bladder function.
- Stress urinary incontinency is common after childbirth.
- "Fecal incontinency": Specifies the inability to control bowel movements.
- Fecal incontinency can be a symptom of nerve damage.
Variants and Related Words
- Incontinence (n): This is the far more common and preferred modern form of the word, used identically in both medical and archaic senses. "Incontinency" is considered a less frequent variant.
- Incontinent (adj): Describes a person suffering from incontinence or (archaically) lacking self-restraint.
- An incontinent patient.
- Incontinent desires. (archaic)
Synonyms
- Medical: Incontinence, enuresis (specifically for urinary incontinence), lack of bladder/bowel control.
- Archaic: Intemperance, licentiousness, unchastity.
Notes on Usage
- Frequency: "Incontinency" is a low-frequency word. In almost all modern contexts, "incontinence" is the standard term, especially in medical and everyday language.
- Register: Using "incontinency" may sound overly formal or archaic. It is advisable for learners to use "incontinence."
- Meaning Focus: When encountered, the word almost always refers to the medical condition unless the context is clearly historical or literary.
Noun
-
involuntary urination or defecation
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