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impotenza

impotence

noun eem-poh-TEN-tsah Rare
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Origin: From Latin impotentia, 'lack of power'.

Also means

powerlessness

Usage Note

Impotenza has two senses: the abstract feeling of helplessness (un senso di impotenza — a feeling of powerlessness) and the medical condition of erectile dysfunction. Context makes the meaning clear; in medical contexts disfunzione erettile is now preferred. It is always feminine: l'impotenza.

Examples

"Sentiva una profonda impotenza di fronte alla burocrazia."

Natural Translation

He felt a deep powerlessness in the face of bureaucracy.

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