impuissance

noun

im·​puis·​sance (ˌ)im-ˈpwi-sᵊn(t)s  (ˌ)im-ˈpyü-ə-sən(t)s 

ˌim-pyü-ˈi-sᵊn(t)s

: weakness, powerlessness

Examples of impuissance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But all of that will be moot if Washington’s rushing attack is not significantly improved from the impuissance of last season. —Ben Baskin, SI.com, 14 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French, from in- + puissance puissance, power

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above