Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking voluntary control over urination or defecation: The primary medical meaning refers to the inability to control bladder or bowel functions.
   • Lacking self-restraint, especially regarding sexual desire: An archaic or literary usage describing someone who cannot control their passions or appetites.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Medical):
  • The patient became incontinent after the surgery.
  • Incontinent individuals may require special care products.
• Adjective (Lacking Restraint - archaic/literary):
  • The incontinent pursuit of pleasure led to his downfall. (This use is now rare.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be incontinent of": This formal phrase is used to specify what one cannot control.
  • He was incontinent of speech, revealing secrets he had promised to keep. (This means he could not control his speech.)
  • The disease left her incontinent of urine.

Variants and Related Words

• Incontinence (noun): The state or condition of being incontinent.
  • Urinary incontinence is a common issue among the elderly.
• Continence (noun): The opposite state; self-restraint or the ability to control bladder/bowel functions.
  • The treatment aims to restore continence.

Synonyms

• Medical sense: Uncontrolled.
• Archaic sense (lacking restraint): Unrestrained, intemperate, profligate.

Antonyms

• Medical sense: Continent.
• General sense: Restrained, temperate, self-controlled.

Notes on Usage

• In modern English, the word is almost exclusively used in its medical sense. The older meaning of "lacking self-restraint" is now very rare and may be found in historical or literary texts. When used, it often carries a strong negative or judgmental connotation.

Adjective

1. not having control over urination and defecation