Adjective

(en adjective)

Not active, temporarily or permanently

The volcano is inactive , but is only dormant.

Not functioning or operating; broken down

The photocopier is inactive pending repair.

Retired from duty or service

Admiral Jones is now on the inactive list.

(chemistry) Relatively inert

Aluminium is inactive towards water.

(physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light

Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Unable to be perceived by the senses.

* Sir Thomas Browne

Two small and almost insensible pricks were found upon Cleopatra's arm.

* Dryden

They fall away, / And languish with insensible decay.

Incapable or deprived of physical sensation.

* {{quote-book, year=1905, author=

, title= , chapter=1 citation , passage=“[…] Captain Markam had been found lying half-insensible , gagged and bound, on the floor of the sitting-room, his hands and feet tightly pinioned, and a woollen comforter wound closely round his mouth and neck?; whilst Mrs. Markham's jewel-case, containing valuable jewellery and the secret plans of Port Arthur, had disappeared. […]”}}

Unable to be understood; unintelligible.

Not sensible or reasonable; meaningless.

* Sir M. Hale

If it make the indictment be insensible or uncertain, it shall be quashed.

Incapable of mental feeling; indifferent.

* Dryden

Lost in their loves, insensible of shame.

* Sir H. Wotton

Accept an obligation without being a slave to the giver, or insensible to his kindness.

* 1813 , Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice , Modern Library Edition (1995), page 138

In spite of her deep-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a man's affection...

Incapable of emotional feeling; callous; apathetic.