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inert

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inert


  2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Inert  \In*ert"\,  a.  [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. 
 
  Usage:  {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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  inert 
  adj  1:  unable  to  move  or  resist  motion 
  2:  (chemistry)  having  only  a  limited  ability  to  react 
  chemically;  not  active;  "inert  matter";  "an  indifferent 
  chemical  in  a  reaction"  [syn:  {indifferent},  {neutral}] 
  3:  slow  and  apathetic;  "she  was  fat  and  inert";  "a  sluggish 
  worker";  "a  mind  grown  torpid  in  old  age"  [syn:  {sluggish}, 
  {torpid}] 




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