ə̇ˈnərshə, -nə̄sh-, -nəish- also -shēə noun
( plural iner·tias -əz ; also iner·ti·ae -shēˌē)
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin, lack of skill, idleness, laziness, from inert-, iners + -ia -y
1.
a. : a property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion in the same straight line unless acted upon by some external force, any change in the motion being measured by the acceleration of the center of mass
inertia carried the train past the station
b. : an analogous property of other physical quantities (as electricity)
electromagnetic inertia
2. : indisposition to motion, exertion, or action : inertness
the Soviets had to overcome the deep-rooted conservatism and inertia of the peasants — A.R.Williams
: resistance to change
social inertia , the tendency of animals to continue repeating the same action in the same place — W.C.Allee
3. : lack of activity : sluggishness — used especially of the uterus in labor when its contractions are weak or irregular
4. : the period of exposure before there is a detectable effect upon a photographic emulsion