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Definitions for: Inert
[adj] slow and apathetic; "she was fat and inert"; "a sluggish worker"; "a mind grown torpid in old age"
[adj] unable to move or resist motion
[adj] (chemistry) having only a limited ability to react chemically; not active; "inert matter"; "an indifferent chemical in a reaction"
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
Synonyms: inactive, indifferent, neutral, nonmoving, sluggish, torpid, unmoving, unreactive
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