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)

Lying on its back, reclined

* {{quote-news

, year=2011 , date=December 15 , author=Felicity Cloake , title=How to cook the perfect nut roast , work=Guardian citation , page= , passage=Christmas queen Mary Berry's aubergine five-nut roast, from her Christmas Collection, is, as the name suggests, rather more focused on the nut side of things. Breadcrumbs play second fiddle to a medley of almonds, Brazils, chestnuts, pine nuts and pistachios which, although tangy with lemon juice and garlic, is outrageously dense. A single slice of this could leave you supine in front of the Queen's speech without even the wherewithal to reach for the remote control.}}

Leaning backward, or inclining with exposure to the sun; sloping; inclined.

* Dryden

If the vine / On rising ground be placed, or hills supine .

Negligent; heedless; listless; lethargic; indifferent.

* Woodward

He became pusillanimous and supine , and openly exposed to any temptation.

*

Passive

* 1748 , , Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral , London: Oxford University Press: 1973, page 34,

Nothing, therefore, can be more contrary than such a philosophy to the supine indolence of the mind.