/ ɪˈnɜːt; NAmE ɪˈnɜːrt/ adjective
1.
( formal ) without power to move or act :
He lay inert with half-closed eyes.
2.
( chemistry ) without active chemical or other properties (= characteristics)
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent.: from Latin iners , inert- unskilled, inactive, from in- (expressing negation) + ars , art- skill, art.