incontinent

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French incontinent, from Latin incontinens, from in + continens.

Adjective

incontinent (comparative more incontinent, superlative most incontinent)

1. (often followed by of) Unable to contain or retain.
2. Lacking the ability to restrain natural discharges or evacuations of urination or defecation.
3. Lacking moral or sexual restraint, moderation or self-control, especially of sexual desire.
4. Unrestrained or unceasing.

   an incontinent river of pure water

5. (colloquial) Immediate; without delay.

Adverb

incontinent (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Immediately, forthwith.
   • c. 1604, William Shakespeare, Othello, Act IV, Scene 3,

     He says he will return incontinent:

Noun

incontinent (plural incontinents)

1. (obsolete) One who is unchaste.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Ben Jonson to this entry?)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɛ̃kɔ̃tinɑ̃/

Etymology 1

From Middle French incontinent, borrowed from Latin incontinens, incontinentem, from in + continens.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Latin in continenti.

Further reading

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

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin incontinens, incontinentem, from in + continens.

Adjective

incontinent m (feminine singular incontinente, masculine plural incontinens, feminine plural incontinentes)

1. incontinent (lacking restraint)

Adverb

incontinent

1. immediately; straight away; right away