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stagnant

 - 3 dictionary results

stag⋅nant

[stag-nuhnt]
–adjective
1. not flowing or running, as water, air, etc.
2. stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.
3. characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement: a stagnant economy.
4. inactive, sluggish, or dull.

Origin:
1660–70; < L stāgnant- (s. of stāgnāns), prp. of stāgnāre to stagnate; see -ant


stag⋅nan⋅cy, stagnance, noun
stag⋅nant⋅ly, adverb


4. dormant, lifeless, dead, inert, lazy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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stag·nant   (stāg'nənt)   
adj.  
  1. Not moving or flowing; motionless.

  2. Foul or stale from standing: stagnant ponds.

    1. Showing little or no sign of activity or advancement; not developing or progressing; inactive: a stagnant economy.

    2. Lacking vitality or briskness; sluggish or dull: a stagnant mind.


[Latin stāgnāns, stāgnant-, present participle of stāgnāre, to be stagnant; see stagnate.]
stag'nan·cy n., stag'nant·ly adv.
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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Word Origin & History

stagnant 
1666, from Fr. stagnant (1611), from L. stagnantem (nom. stagnans), prp. of stagnare (see stagnate).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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