Crossword Dictionary
INEPTITUDE
worthlessness, ineptitude - n
having no qualities that would render it valuable or useful; "the drill sergeant's intent was to convince all the recruits of their worthlessness"
Synonyms
impotence, inability, inadequacy, incapability, incapacity, incompetence, incompetency, insufficiency, powerlessness
Examples
Politicians almost invariably show blundering ineptitude when running the economy.
If the average person had shown such ineptitude at work they would probably have faced summary dismissal.
Instead it was a method of erecting signs that was beyond careless or inconsistent - it was sheer ineptitude.
Etymology
1610s, from French ineptitude, from Latin ineptitudo, noun of quality from ineptus "unsuitable, absurd" (see inept).
inept (adj.)
c. 1600, "not fit or suitable, inapt," also "absurd, foolish," from French inepte "incapable" (14c.) or directly from Latin ineptus "unsuitable, improper, impertinent; absurd, awkward, silly, tactless," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + aptus "apt" (see apt). Related: Ineptly; ineptness.