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.
双语例句
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.
