inert Hear it!

inert definition

in·ert (in ʉrt′)

adjective

  1. having inertia; without power to move, act, or resist
  2. tending to be physically or mentally inactive; dull; slow
  3. having or exhibiting little or no activity, esp. chemical activity inert matter in a fertilizer, an inert gas

Etymology: L iners, without skill or art, idle < in-, not + ars (gen. artis), skill, art)

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.