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Impotent vs Disable - What's the difference?

impotent | disable |

In obsolete terms the difference between impotent and disable

is that impotent is lacking self-restraint while disable is lacking ability; unable.

As adjectives the difference between impotent and disable

is that impotent is lacking physical strength or vigor; weak while disable is lacking ability; unable.

As a verb disable is

to render unable; to take away an ability of.

impotent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Lacking physical strength or vigor; weak.
  • Lacking in power, as to act effectively; helpless
  • * Technology without morality is barbarous; morality without technology is impotent (Freeman J. Dyson).
  • Incapable of sexual intercourse, often because of an inability to achieve or sustain an erection.
  • (of a male) Sterile.
  • (obsolete) Lacking self-restraint.
  • * Dryden
    • Impotent of tongue, her silence broke.

    Synonyms

    * (lacking strength) feeble, puny, weak * (lacking power) helpless, powerless * (incapable of sexual intercourse) * (lacking self-restraint) incontinent

    Antonyms

    * potent

    Related terms

    * impotence

    disable

    English

    Verb

    (disabl)
  • To render unable; to take away an ability of.
  • (chiefly, of a person) To impair the physical or mental abilities of; to cause a serious, permanent injury.
    • Falling off the horse disabled him.
  • to deactivate a function of an electronical or mechanical device.
    • The pilot had to disable the autopilot of his airplane.

    Antonyms

    * enable

    Derived terms

    * disablement

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Lacking ability; unable.
  • * Daniel
    • Our disable and unactive force.

    Anagrams

    *