incontinence
UK[ɪnˈkɒntɪnəns]US[ɪnˈkɑːntɪnəns]
n
the inability to control the excretion of urine or feces.
n
a lack of self-control, especially regarding sexual desire.
Morpheme Breakdown
in
contin
ence
in
not
contin
hold together, restrain
ence
state or quality
Etymology
the word "incontinence" originates from the latin incontinentia, which itself is built from the prefix in- (meaning "not") and the present participle stem of the verb continēre ("to hold together, contain, restrain"). the core concept of continēre is formed from con- ("together") and tenēre ("to hold"), a verb with deep proto-indo-european roots in \ten- ("to stretch"). the literal sense of "not holding together" evolved in late latin to specifically denote a lack of restraint, particularly over bodily functions. by the late 14th century, it entered english with the dual meanings of lacking self-control and the medical inability to retain bodily excretions, a logical extension of the original idea of failure to contain.
Analysis
Structure: in (not) + contin (hold together, restrain) + ence (state or quality)
- in: a latin prefix meaning "not, opposite of".
- contin: from latin continēre, meaning "to hold together, contain, restrain".
- ence: a latin-derived noun suffix indicating a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
the patient was prescribed medication to manage his urinary incontinence.
the novel explores the moral incontinence of a society in decay.
pelvic floor exercises can help improve stress incontinence.