inert

[in-urt, ih-nurt] /ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt/

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.

Origin

1640-50; < Latin inert- (stem of iners) unskillful, equivalent to in- in-³ + -ert-, combining form of art- (stem of ars) skill; see art¹

Related forms

inertly, adverb

inertness, noun

noninert, adjective

noninertly, adverb

noninertness, noun

uninert, adjective

uninertly, adverb

Synonyms

1. immobile, unmoving, lifeless, motionless. 4. See inactive.

Examples from the web for inert

Revelation lifted its head but otherwise remained as inert as a lump of clay.
The atmosphere in the box is dry nitrogen, which is relatively inert.
He evinces a blind spot for painting, with inert geometric canvases, but never a failure of nerve.
Sasha never took anything from stores-their cold, inert goods didn't tempt her.
But at that point the movie epic dies, and the entire project becomes inert and senseless.
It is a fantasy about fantasy, about the experience of sitting inert in the dark while your mind enters another world.
The problem is that methane is chemically inert, and combines readily with oxygen only at high temperatures.
By contrast, the cells are inert at room temperature.
Now these implants are stored in a vacuum or inert gas, which prevents the destructive oxidation.
Most people think of fat as an inert blob, but fat cells release powerful chemicals.

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

inertly, adverb
inertness, noun

Word Origin

C17: from Latin iners unskilled, from in-1 + ars skill; see art1

Word Origin and History for inert

adj.

1640s, from French inerte (16c.) or directly from Latin inertem (nominative iners) "unskilled, inactive, helpless, sluggish, worthless," from in- "without" + ars (genitive artis) "skill" (see art (n.)). Originally of matter; specifically of gases from 1885. Of persons or creatures, from 1774.

inert in Medicine

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.

inert in Science

inert

(ĭn-ûrt')
Not chemically reactive.