incontinence

English

Etymology

From French incontinence, or Latin incontinentia.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ɪnˈkɒntɪnəns/

Noun

incontinence (uncountable)

1. (dated) Lack of self-restraint, an inability to control oneself; unchastity.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, Tom Jones, Folio Society 1973, p. 119:

     Allworthy was sufficiently offended by this transgression of Jones; for notwithstanding the assertions of Mr Western, it is certain this worthy man had never indulged himself in any loose pleasures with women, and greatly condemned the vice of incontinence in others.

2. (medicine) The inability of any of the physical organs to restrain discharges of their contents; involuntary discharge or evacuation (of urine or feces).

Translations

lack of self-restraint

Bulgarian: несдържаност (bg) f. Finnish: siveettömyys (fi) Japanese: 自制がない (ja) (じせいがない, jisei ga nai), 抑制できない (ja) (よくせいできない, yokusei dekinai)

Manx: neuyeeinymneeaght (gv) f., neuyeeinymaght (gv) f. Russian: несдержанность (ru) f.

inability to restrain discharge

Chinese: Mandarin: 失禁 (zh) (shījìn) Danish: inkontinens (da) c. Dutch: incontinentie (nl) Finnish: karkailu (fi), inkontinenssi (fi)

Greek: ακράτεια (el) (akráteia) f. Japanese: 失禁 (ja) (しっきん, shikkin) Norwegian: inkontinens (no) m. Russian: недержание (ru) n. Swedish: inkontinens (sv) c.

Derived terms

• incontinence diaper
• incontinence pad

Synonyms

• akrasia

References

• incontinence in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911