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.
雙語例句
1. The aggression of a bully leaves people feeling hurt, angry and impotent.
暴徒的侵犯令人們感到痛心、憤怒卻又無能為力。
來自柯林斯例句
2. They sit in impotent opposition while the country goes to the dogs.
國家敗落之際，他們加入了軟弱無力的反對黨。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Without the chairman's support, the committee is impotent.
沒有主席的支持，委員會是無能為力的。
來自《權威詞典》
4. We felt quite impotent to resist the will of the dictator.
我們感到無力抗拒獨裁者的意志.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
5. They were virtually impotent against the power of the large companies.