adj. 1. Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak. 2. Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless: "Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent" (Freeman J. Dyson). 3. Incapable of sexual intercourse because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection. 4. Obsolete Lacking self-restraint. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin impotēns, impotent- : in-, not; see IN-1 + potēns, potent; see POTENT.] impo·tent·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.