What is "incontinency"

Incontinence \In*con"ti*nence\, Incontinency \In*con"ti*nen*cy\, n. [L. incontinentia: cf. F. incontinence.]

1. Incapacity to hold; hence, incapacity to hold back or restrain; the quality or state of being incontinent; lack of continence; failure to restrain the passions or appetites; indulgence of lust; lewdness.

   That Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
   --1 Cor. vii. 5.

   From the rash hand of bold incontinence.
   --Milton.

2. (Med.) The inability of any of the animal organs to restrain the natural evacuations, especially urination, or defecation, so that the discharges are involuntary; as, incontinence of urine.

early 15c., "unchastity;" see incontinent + -cy.

n. incontinence

n. involuntary urination or defecation [syn: incontinence]