IMPOTENCE, or IMPOTENCY, in general, denotes want of strength, power, or means to perform any thing.
Divines and philosophers distinguish two sorts of impotency; natural, and moral. The first is a want of some physical principle, necessary to an action; or where a being is absolutely defective, or not free and at liberty to act: the second only imports a great difficulty, as a strong habit to the contrary, a violent passion, or the like.
Impotency is, more particularly, used for a natural inability to coition. Impotence with respect to men, is the same as sterility in women; that is, an inability of propagating the species. There are many causes of impotence; as, a natural defect in the organs of generation, which seldom admits of a cure: accidents, or diseases; and in such cases the impotence may, or may not be remedied, according as these are curable or otherwise.