impotence

impotence
im·po·tence 'im-pət-ən(t)s n
1) the quality or state of not being potent <drug-resistant bacteria are a virulent indicator of the growing \impotence of antibiotics>
2) an abnormal physical or psychological state of a male characterized by inability to copulate because of failure to have or maintain an erection called also erectile dysfunction

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n.
inability in a man to have sexual intercourse. Impotence may be erectile, in which the penis does not become firm enough to enter the vagina, or ejaculatory, in which penetration occurs but there is no ejaculation of semen (orgasm). Either of these kinds of impotence may be due to a physical disease, such as diabetes (organic), or to a psychological or emotional problem (psychogenic). Treatment is by means of a penile prosthesis or injection into the corpora cavernosa of the penis (e.g. alprostadil). sildenafil is an orally administered drug that improves blood flow to the penis.

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im·po·tence (imґpə-təns) [in-2 + potentia] 1. lack of power. 2. specifically, lack of copulative power in the male due to inability to initiate an erection or to maintain an erection until ejaculation; usually classified as either psychogenic i. or organic i. Called also erectile dysfunction.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • impotence — [ ɛ̃pɔtɑ̃s ] n. f. • v. 1265; lat. impotentia ♦ État d une personne impotente. ● impotence nom féminin (latin impotentia) État d un individu impotent. ● impotence (expressions) nom féminin (latin impotentia) Impotence fonction …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • impotence — I noun debilitation, debility, defenselessness, failure, feebleness, forcelessness, helplessness, imbecillitas, impotency, impuissance, inability, inadequacy, incapability, incapacitation, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, ineffectiveness,… …   Law dictionary

  • Impotence — Im po*tence, Impotency Im po*ten*cy, n. [L. impotenia inability, poverty, lack of moderation. See {Impotent}.] 1. The quality or condition of being impotent; lack of strength or power, animal, intellectual, or moral; weakness; feebleness;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • impotence — (n.) early 15c., physical weakness, also poverty, from M.Fr. impotence weakness, from L. impotentia lack of control or power, from impotentem (nom. impotens); see IMPOTENT (Cf. impotent). In reference to a want of (male) sexual potency, from… …   Etymology dictionary

  • impotence — n. pl. impotencies [im′pə təns] n. [OFr < L impotentia] the quality or condition of being impotent: also impotency n. impotencies …   English World dictionary

  • impotence — /im peuh teuhns/, n. 1. the condition or quality of being impotent; weakness. 2. chronic inability to attain or sustain an erection for the performance of a sexual act. 3. sterility, esp. in the male. 4. Obs. lack of self restraint. Also,… …   Universalium

  • Impotence — Le terme impotence (du latin impotentia, « impuissance, faiblesse ») désigne : L état d une personne impotente, c’est à dire se déplaçant avec grande difficulté, voire grabataire. Une impotence fonctionnelle : inaptitude à se… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • impotence — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ relative (esp. BrE) ▪ the relative impotence of individual governments in the face of global forces ▪ male ▪ political, sexual VERB + IMPOTENCE …   Collocations dictionary

  • Impotence — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Impotence >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 impotence impotence Sgm: N 1 inability inability disability Sgm: N 1 disablement disablement impuissance imbecility Sgm: N 1 incapacity incapacity incapability …   English dictionary for students

  • impotence — (in po tan s ) s. f. Terme de médecine. État de celui qui est impotent. HISTORIQUE    XIIIe s. •   Après s en va sans escuier ; Mès por ses membres apuier Ot ausinc cum par impotence De traïson une potence, la Rose, 12295.    XIVe s.… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • impotence — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Lack of strength Nouns 1. impotence, inability, disability; disablement, impuissance, incapacity, incapability; inaptness, ineptitude, inefficiency, incompetence; disqualification. See weakness,… …   English dictionary for students

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