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Webster 1828 Edition


Helplessness

HELP'LESSNESS

,
Noun.
Want of strength or ability; inability; want of means in one's self to obtain relief in trouble, or to accomplish one's purposes or desires.
It is the tendency of sickness to reduce our extravagant self-estimation, by exhibiting our solitary helplessness.

Definition 2024


helplessness

helplessness

English

Noun

helplessness (usually uncountable, plural helplessnesses)

  1. The state of being helpless.
  2. A feeling of inadequacy or impotence.
    • 1915, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price, chapterI:
      Captain Edward Carlisle, soldier as he was, martinet as he was, felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze, her alluring smile ; he could not tell what this prisoner might do.

Synonyms

See also

Translations

External links

  • helplessness” in An American Dictionary of the English Language, by Noah Webster, 1828.
  • helplessness in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • impotence” in Roget's Thesaurus, T. Y. Crowell Co., 1911.