'Inert' definitions:

Definition of 'inert'

From: WordNet
adjective
Unable to move or resist motion
adjective
Having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive; "inert matter"; "an indifferent chemical in a reaction" [syn: inert, indifferent, neutral]
adjective
Slow and apathetic; "she was fat and inert"; "a sluggish worker"; "a mind grown torpid in old age" [syn: inert, sluggish, soggy, torpid]

Definition of 'Inert'

From: GCIDE
  • Inert \In*ert"\, a. [L. iners, inertis, unskilled, idle; pref. in- + ars art: cf. F. inerte. See Art.] [1913 Webster]
  • 1. Destitute of the power of moving itself, or of active resistance to motion; as, matter is inert. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Indisposed to move or act; very slow to act; sluggish; dull; inactive; indolent; lifeless. [1913 Webster]
  • The inert and desponding party of the court. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • It present becomes extravagant, then imbecile, and at length utterly inert. --I. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Not having or manifesting active properties; not affecting other substances when brought in contact with them; powerless for an expected or desired effect; as, the noble gases are chemically inert.
  • Syn: Inactive; dull; passive; indolent; sluggish; slothful; lazy; lifeless; irresolute; stupid; senseless; insensible.
  • Usage: Inert, Inactive, Sluggish. A man may be inactive from mere lack 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Doomed to lose four months in inactive obscurity. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
  • Sluggish Idleness, the nurse of sin, Upon a slothful ass he chose to ride. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'inert'

From: GCIDE
  • nonmoving \nonmoving\ adj. Not moving. Opposite of moving. [Narrower terms: {at rest, inactive, motionless, static, still}; {becalmed ; dead(prenominal), stagnant, standing(prenominal), still; {frozen(predicate), rooted(predicate), stock-still ; {inert ; {sitting ; {slack ; {stationary ; immobile, unmoving] Also See: immobile. [WordNet 1.5]

Synonyms of 'inert'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Inert'