{ 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.