In*ac"tive (?), a.
[Pref. in- not + active: cf. F.
inactif.]
1. Not
active; having no power to move; that does not or can not produce results; inert; as, matter is,
of itself, inactive.
2.
Not disposed to action or
effort; not diligent or industrious; not busy; idle; as, an inactive officer.
3. (Chem. &
Opt.) Not active; inert; esp., not exhibiting any action or
activity on polarized light; optically neutral; -- said of isomeric forms of certain substances, in distinction from other forms which are optically active; as, racemic acid is an inactive tartaric acid.
Syn. --
Inert; dull; sluggish; idle; indolent; slothful; lazy. See Inert.
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