— inactively , adv. — inactivity, inactiveness , n.
/in ak"tiv/ , adj.
1. not active: an inactive volcano.
2. sedentary or passive: an inactive life.
3. sluggish; indolent.
4. Mil. not on active duty.
5. Chem.
a. inert; unreactive.
b. noting a compound that has no effect on polarized light.
[ 1715-25; IN- 3 + ACTIVE ]
Syn. 1. unmoving, immobile, inoperative. 1, 2 . INACTIVE, DORMANT, INERT, SLUGGISH, TORPID suggest lack of activity. INACTIVE indicates absence of action, indisposition to activity, or cessation of activity: an inactive compound, life, file of papers. DORMANT suggests the quiescence or inactivity of that which sleeps but may be roused to action: a dormant volcano. INERT suggests the condition of dead matter, with no inherent power of motion or action; it may also mean unable to move, or heavy and hard to move: an inert mass; inert from hunger.
SLUGGISH expresses slowness of natural activity or of that which does not move readily or vigorously: a sluggish stream, brain. TORPID suggests a state of suspended physical powers, a condition particularly of animals that hibernate: Snakes are torpid in cold weather. 3. lazy, idle, slothful.
Ant. 1-3. lively.