I.“inerte,” Ov. P. 1, 5, 8; 1, 10, 14), adj. 2. in-ars, unskilled in any art or trade, without skill, unskilful (class.): ut perhibetur iners, ars in quo non erit ulla, Lucil. ap. Serv. ad Verg. A. 4, 158: “artes, quibus qui carebant, inertes a majoribus nominabantur,” Cic. Fin. 2, 34, 115: versus, artless ( = sine arte et gravitate facti), Hor. A. P. 445.—In partic., = iners dicendi, arte dicendi carens: “homo non inertissimus,” Cic. Div. in Caecil. 21, 67. —
II. In gen., inactive, idle, indolent, sluggish, inert.
A. Of living beings: “linguā factiosi, inertes operā,” Plaut. Bacch. 3, 6, 13: silvicolae homines bellique inertes, Naev. ap. Macr. S. 6, 5, § 9: “gerro, iners, etc.,” Ter. Heaut. 5, 4, 10: “vicissent inprobos boni fortes inertes,” Cic. Sest. 19, 43: “senectus,” id. de Sen. 11, 36: “homo inertior, ignavior proferri non potest,” Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 78, § 192: “pecus,” Verg. A. 4, 158; cf.: “fera membris,” Plin. 8, 21, 32, § 77.—
B. Of inanim. and abstr. things: “inertissimum et desidiosissimum otium,” Cic. Agr. 2, 33: “inertissima segnitia,” id. Fin. 1, 2, 5: “ignavum et iners genus interrogationis,” empty, idle, id. Fat. 13, 29: “aquae,” stagnant waters, Ov. H. 18, 121: “stomachus,” i. e. without digestion, id. P. 1, 10, 14: “glaebae,” that bear nothing, without cultivation, Verg. G. 1, 94: “terra,” motionless, immovable, Hor. C. 3, 4, 45: “horae,” leisure hours, id. S. 2, 6, 61: “tempus,” Ov. P. 1, 15, 44: “Brutus castigator lacrimarum atque inertium querellarum,” Liv. 1, 59, 4.— Of food, without flavor, insipid: “caro,” Hor. S. 2, 4, 41: “blitum iners videtur, ac sine sapore, aut acrimonia ulla,” Plin. 20, 22, 93, § 252: “sal,” id. 31, 7, 39, § 82: vita, inactive, quiet, Tib. 1, 1, 5. — Poet., causative, rendering idle or inactive: “frigus,” Ov. M. 8, 790: “somni,” id. Am. 2, 10, 19. — Hence, adv.: ĭnerter , and sup. inertissime, Charis. 165 P.