inorganic
[ in-awr-gan-ik ]
/ ˌɪn ɔrˈgæn ɪk /
adjective
not having the structure or organization characteristic of living bodies.
not characterized by vital processes.
Chemistry. noting or pertaining to compounds that are not hydrocarbons or their derivatives.Compare organic(def 1).
not fundamental or related; extraneous.
Words nearby inorganic
OTHER WORDS FROM inorganic
in·or·gan·i·cal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
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Examples from the Web for inorganic
British Dictionary definitions for inorganic
inorganic
/ (ˌɪnɔːˈɡænɪk) /
adjective
not having the structure or characteristics of living organisms; not organic
relating to or denoting chemical compounds that do not contain carbonCompare organic (def. 4)
not having a system, structure, or ordered relation of parts; amorphous
not resulting from or produced by growth; artificial
linguistics denoting or relating to a sound or letter introduced into the pronunciation or spelling of a word at some point in its history
Derived forms of inorganic
inorganically, adverbCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medical definitions for inorganic
inorganic
[ ĭn′ôr-găn′ĭk ]
n.
Not formed by or involving organic life or the products of organic life.
Not composed of organic matter.
Of or relating to compounds not containing carbon to hydrogen bonds.
Other words from inorganic
in′or•gan′i•cal•ly adv.The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for inorganic
inorganic
[ ĭn′ôr-găn′ĭk ]
Not involving organisms or the products of their life processes.
Relating to chemical compounds that occur mainly outside of living or once living organisms, such as those in rocks, minerals, and ceramics. Most inorganic compounds lack carbon, such as salt (NaCl) and ammonia (NH3); a few, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), do contain it, but never attached to hydrogen atoms as in hydrocarbons. Inorganic molecules tend to have a relatively small number of atoms as compared with organic molecules.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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