Incontinence Meaning
/ɪnˈkɒntɪnəns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounLack of self-restraint, an inability to control oneself; unchastity.
nounThe inability of any of the physical organs to restrain discharges of their contents; involuntary discharge or evacuation (of urine or feces).
Sentence Examples
He wore a diaper on long flights because of his incontinence.
My verbal incontinence has already caused a few issues for me.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The elderly patient suffered from urinary ____ and needed to wear protective pads.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The elderly patient suffered from ____ and needed to be near a restroom at all times.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English incontinence, from Old French incontinence or its etymon Latin incontinentia. Doublet of incontinency.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 1749, Henry Fielding, “The Narrow Escape of Molly Seagrim, […]”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume II, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book IV, page 79:
"Give these very Irish men and women something to make life decent and careworthy; give each family three acres of land, and the English Government will cure this wretched and debasing incontinence."
— 1881 January 31, Eltchi [pseudonym], “Rich and Poor in Britain […]”, in The Chicago Daily Tribune, volume XL, Chicago, Ill.: Tribune Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 2, column 4:
"There were times, during the first two years of the Biden presidency, when I came close to forgetting about it all: the taunts and the provocations; the incitements and the resentments; the disorchestrated reasoning; the verbal incontinence; the press conferences fueled by megalomania, vengeance, and a soupçon of hydroxychloroquine."
— 2023 December 8, Jennifer Senior, “What Will Happen to the American Psyche If Trump Is Reelected?”, in Jeffrey Goldberg, editor, The Atlantic, Washington, D.C.: The Atlantic Monthly Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 08 Dec 2023:
"The objective is to make life easier for male colleagues and customers with urinary incontinence."
— 2024 July 10, “Network News: 'Boys Need Bins' backed by GTR”, in RAIL, number 1013, page 23:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The elderly patient suffered from urinary ____ and needed to wear protective pads.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The elderly patient suffered from ____ and needed to be near a restroom at all times.