INERT
inert, sluggish, soggy, torpid
(adjective) slow and apathetic; “she was fat and inert”; “a sluggish worker”; “a mind grown torpid in old age”
inert
(adjective) unable to move or resist motion
inert, indifferent, neutral
(adjective) having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive; “inert matter”; “an indifferent chemical in a reaction”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
inert (comparative more inert, superlative most inert)
Unable to move or act; inanimate.
In chemistry, not readily reacting with other elements or compounds.
Having no therapeutic action.
Synonyms
• (unable to move or act): dormant, motionless; see also inactive or stationary
• (not readily reacting): unreactive
Noun
inert (plural inerts)
(chemistry) A substance that does not react chemically.
Verb
inert (third-person singular simple present inerts, present participle inerting, simple past and past participle inerted)
To fill with an inert gas to reduce the risk of explosion.
Anagrams
• Inter, Terni, Tiner, inter, inter-, niter, nitre, riten., terin, trine
Source: Wiktionary
In*ert", a. Etym: [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.
– 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition