\Im"po*tence\, Impotency \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.