im·puis·sance /(ˌ)ɪmˈpwɪsṇ(t)s, (ˌ)ɪmˈpjuəsən(t)s; ˌɪmpjuˈɪsṇ(t)s/
  Im·pu·is·sance n.  Lack of power; inability.
     Their own impuissance and weakness.   --Holland.
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  impuissance
       n : powerlessness revealed by an inability to act; "in spite of
           their weakness the group remains highly active" [syn: helplessness,
            weakness]