Dictionary entry

Incontinence

Webster's Dictionary 1913

{ In‐con″ti‐nence (?), In‐con″ti‐nen‐cy (?), } n. [L. incontinentia: cf. F. incontinence.]

1. Incapacity to hold; hence, incapacity to hold back or restrain; the quality or state of being incontinent; want of continence; failure to restrain the passions or appetites; indulgence of lust; lewdness.

That Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 1 Cor. vii. 5.

From the rash hand of bold incontinence. Milton.

2. (Med.) The inability of any of the animal organs to restrain the natural evacuations, so that the discharges are involuntary; as, incontinence of urine.