In-ert', a.
(14), a. [Lat. iners, inertis, unskilled, idle, from prefix in, not, and ars, art; It., Sp., & Fr. inerte.]
Sense 1. Destitute of the power of moving itself, or of active resistance to motion impressed; as, matter is inert.
Sense 2. Indisposed to move or act; very slow to act; sluggish; dull. Thomson.
Sense 3. Powerless for an effect or influence.
The inert and desponding party of the court. Macaulay.
It presently becomes extravagant, then imbecile, and at length utterly inert. J. Taylor.
Synonyms—Inactive; dull; sluggish; slothful; lazy.—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.
They can boast but little virtue; and, inert Through plenty, lose in morals what they gain In manners—victims of luxurious ease. Cowper.
Virtue concealed within our breast Is inactivity at best. Swift.
Sluggish Idleness, the nurse of sin, Upon a slothful ass he chose to ride. Spenser.