inert definition | Dictionary.com

in⋅ert

[in-urt, i-nurt]

–adjective

1.	having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (opposed to active ): inert matter.

2.	Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere.

3.	Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill.

4.	inactive or sluggish by habit or nature.

Origin:
1640–50; < L inert- (s. of iners) unskillful, equiv. to in- in- ³ + -ert-, comb. form of art- (s. of ars) skill; see art ¹

Related forms:

in⋅ert⋅ly, adverb

in⋅ert⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. immobile, unmoving, lifeless, motionless. 4. See inactive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To inert

in·ert (ĭn-ûrt')

adj.

Unable to move or act.
Sluggish in action or motion; lethargic. See Synonyms at inactive.
Chemistry Not readily reactive with other elements; forming few or no chemical compounds.
Having no pharmacologic or therapeutic action.

[Latin iners, inert- : in-, not; see in-¹ + ars, skill; see ar- in Indo-European roots.]
in·ert'ly adv., in·ert'ness n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Inert

In*ert"\, a. [L. iners, inertis, unskilled, idle; pref. in- + ars art: cf. F. inerte. See Art.]

1. Destitute of the power of moving itself, or of active resistance to motion; as, matter is inert.

2. Indisposed to move or act; very slow to act; sluggish; dull; inactive; indolent; lifeless.

The inert and desponding party of the court. --Macaulay.

It present becomes extravagant, then imbecile, and at length utterly inert. --I. Taylor.

3. Not having or manifesting active properties; not affecting other substances when brought in contact with them; powerless for an expected or desired effect.

Syn: Inactive; dull; passive; indolent; sluggish; slothful; lazy; lifeless; irresolute; stupid; senseless; insensible.

Usage: Inert, Inactive, Sluggish. A man may be inactive from mere want of stimulus to effort; but one who is inert has something in his constitution or his habits which operates like a weight holding him back from exertion. Sluggish is still stronger, implying some defect of temperament which directly impedes action. Inert and inactive are negative, sluggish is positive.

Even the favored isles . . . Can boast but little virtue; and, inert Through plenty, lose in morals what they gain In manners -- victims of luxurious ease. --Cowper.

Doomed to lose four months in inactive obscurity. --Johnson.

Sluggish Idleness, the nurse of sin, Upon a slothful ass he chose to ride. --Spenser.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : inert

Spanish: inerte,

German: träge,

Japanese: 活動力のない

More Translations »

inert

1647, from Fr. inerte (16c.), from L. inertem (nom. iners) "unskilled, inactive," from in- "without" + ars (gen. artis) "skill" (see art (n.)).

Main Entry: in·ert
Pronunciation: in-'&rt
Function: adjective
1 : lacking the power to move
2 : deficient in activeproperties; especially : lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action inert drug> —in·ert·ness noun

inert in·ert (ĭn-ûrt')
adj.

Sluggish in action or motion; lethargic.
Not readily reactive with other chemical elements; forming few or no chemical compounds.
Having no pharmacologic or therapeutic action.

inert (ĭn-ûrt') Pronunciation Key
Not chemically reactive.

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