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

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : inert

Spanish:

inerte,

German:

träge,

Japanese:

活動力のない

View 30 other languages »

in·ert (ĭn-ûrt') Pronunciation Key
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 © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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inert

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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inert
adjective
1.	unable to move or resist motion
2.	having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive; "inert matter"; "an indifferent chemical in a reaction"
3.	slow and apathetic; "she was fat and inert"; "a sluggish worker"; "a mind grown torpid in old age"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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inert (ĭn-ûrt') Pronunciation Key

Not chemically reactive.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

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.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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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

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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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.

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