What does "inactive" mean?

Inactive: Not disposed to action or effort; not diligent or industrious; not busy; idle; as, an inactive officer.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(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. See Inert.

Sources