helplessness

noun
/ˈhɛlplɪsnɪs/US

Etymology

From helpless + -ness.

  1. inherited from *helpōlausaz
  2. inherited from *helplēas — “helpless
  3. inherited from helples
  4. formed as helplessness — “helpless + -ness

Definitions

  1. The state of being helpless.

    • Near-synonyms: powerlessness, impotence
    • ADAM: 'You are faced with overwhelming power. Accept your helplessness.'
  2. A feeling of inadequacy or impotence.

    • 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.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

No curated loop yet for helplessness. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.

sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA