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.