different between impuissant vs incapable

English

Etymology

French, from prefix im- (“not”) + puissant. See puissant.

Adjective

impuissant (comparative more impuissant, superlative most impuissant)

1. weak; impotent; feeble

French

Etymology

From im- +? puissant.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.p?i.s??/
• Homophone: impuissants

Adjective

impuissant (feminine singular impuissante, masculine plural impuissants, feminine plural impuissantes)

1. impotent, powerless

Noun

impuissant m (plural impuissants)

1. an impotent man

Further reading

• “impuissant” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French incapable, in- +? capable

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?ke?p?bl?/, /???ke?p?bl?/
• Hyphenation: in?ca?pable

Adjective

incapable (comparative more incapable, superlative most incapable)

1. Not capable (of doing something); unable.
2. Not in a state to receive; not receptive; not susceptible; not able to admit.

   incapable of pain, or pleasure; incapable of stain or injury

Synonyms

• (not capable): unable
• (not in a state to receive): refusing

Antonyms

• capable

Derived terms

• incapability
• incapably

Related terms

• incapacitate
• incapacitation

Translations

Noun

incapable (plural incapables)

1. (dated) One who is morally or mentally weak or inefficient; an imbecile; a simpleton.

French

Etymology

From Latin incapabilis.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /??.ka.pabl/

Adjective

incapable (plural incapables)

1. unable, incapable

Noun

incapable m (plural incapables, feminine incapable)

1. incompetent (person)

Further reading

• “incapable” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).