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.