impotent
英 ['ɪmpət(ə)nt]
美 ['ɪmpətənt]
TEM8
impotent 不起作用的，性无能的im-,不，非，potent,强有力的，有效的，词源同power,possible.引申词义性无能的。
- impotent (adj.)
- late 14c., "physically weak, enfeebled, crippled," from Old French impotent "powerless, weak, incapable," from Latin imponentem (nominative impotens) "lacking control, powerless," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + ponentem (nominative potens) "potent" (see potent).
Meaning "having no power to accomplish anything" is from mid-15c.; that of "completely lacking in sexual power" (of males) is from mid-15c. Middle English also had a native term for this: Cunt-beaten (mid-15c.). The figurative sense in Latin was "without self-control, headstrong, violent." Related: Impotently.
- 1. The aggression of a bully leaves people feeling hurt, angry and impotent.
- 暴徒的侵犯令人们感到痛心、愤怒却又无能为力。
来自柯林斯例句
- 2. They sit in impotent opposition while the country goes to the dogs.
- 国家败落之际，他们加入了软弱无力的反对党。
来自柯林斯例句
- 3. Without the chairman's support, the committee is impotent.
- 没有主席的支持，委员会是无能为力的。
来自《权威词典》
- 4. We felt quite impotent to resist the will of the dictator.
- 我们感到无力抗拒独裁者的意志.
来自《简明英汉词典》
- 5. They were virtually impotent against the power of the large companies.
- 他们实际上无力与实力雄厚的大公司抗衡.
来自《简明英汉词典》
