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inert

[ in-urt, ih-nurt ]
/ ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR inert ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (opposed to active): inert matter.
Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere.
Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill.
inactive or sluggish by habit or nature.

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Origin of inert

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin inert- (stem of iners ) “unskillful,” equivalent to in- in-3 + -ert-, combining form of art- (stem of ars ) “skill”; see art1

synonym study for inert

4. See inactive.

OTHER WORDS FROM inert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to inert

dormant, motionless, immobile, impotent, passive, inactive, paralyzed, listless, powerless, apathetic, asleep, dead, down, dull, idle, impassive, inanimate, indolent, languid, lazy

Example sentences from the Web for inert

British Dictionary definitions for inert

inert
/ (ɪnˈɜːt) /

adjective

having no inherent ability to move or to resist motion
inactive, lazy, or sluggish
having only a limited ability to react chemically; unreactive

Derived forms of inert

inertly, adverbinertness, noun

Word Origin for inert

C17: from Latin iners unskilled, from in- 1 + ars skill; see art 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for inert

inert
[ 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.

Scientific definitions for inert

inert
[ ĭn-ûrt′ ]

Not chemically reactive.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.