impuissant

[ im-pyoo-uh-suhnt, im-pyoo-is-uhnt, im-pwis-uhnt ]

adjective

1. lacking strength; feeble; weak.

impuissant

/ ɪmˈpjuːɪsənt; ɪmˈpwiː- /

adjective

1. powerless, ineffectual, feeble, or impotent

Derived Forms

• imˈpuissance, noun

Other Words From

• im·puis·sance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impuissant¹

From Middle French, dating back to 1620–30; im- ², puissant

Word History and Origins

Origin of impuissant¹

C17: from French: powerless

Example Sentences

All immediately forget that his idiocy is only assumed; and what woman ever ceases from deploring the unhappy lot of the future wife of their impuissant Prince!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anemic
• feeble
• fragile
• frail
• hesitant
• powerless
• shaky
• sickly
• sluggish
• uncertain
• unsteady
• weakened
• wobbly