impŏtentĭa (inp-), ae, f. [impotens].
- * I. Inability, want of wealth, poverty: magis propter suam impotentiam se semper credunt neglegi, Ter. Ad. 4, 3, 16.
- II. Want of moderation or self-restraint, ungovernableness, passionate behavior, violence, fury (freq. and class.): impotentia quaedam animi a temperantia et moderatione plurimum dissidens, Cic. Tusc. 4, 15, 34; Poet. ap. Cic. Tusc. 4, 16, 35: impotentia commotus animi, Sisenn. ap. Non. 527, 14: numquam potentia sua ad impotentiam usus, Vell. 2, 29: impotentiae exprobratio, Quint. 6, 2, 16: muliebris, Liv. 34, 2, 2; Tac. A. 1, 4; 12, 57: veteranorum, id. ib. 14, 31: nullius astri Gregem aestuosa torret impotentia, fiery violence, Hor. Epod. 16, 62.