Inertance
inert (?), a. (L. iners,inertis, unskilled, idle; pref. in- + ars art:
cf. F. inerte. See Art.)
1. Destitute of the power of moving itself,
or of active resistance to motion; as, matter is
inert.
2. Indisposed to move or act; very slow to
act; sluggish; dull; inactive; indolent; lifeless.
The inert and desponding party of the
court. Macaulay.
It present becomes extravagant, then imbecile, and at
length utterly inert. I. Taylor.
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.
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