(ˈ)in, ən+ transitive verb
Etymology: inactive + -ate
: to make inactive: as
a.
(1) : to destroy certain biological activities of
inactivate the complement of normal serum by heat
— compare reactivate
(2) : to cause (as an infective agent) to lose disease-producing capacity
inactivate bacteria
b. : to remove (a unit) from the active list of a military service without disbanding
• in·activation (ˌ)in, ən+ noun