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Noun: inertia  in'ur-shu
  1. (physics) the tendency of a body to maintain its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force
    "The spacecraft's inertia kept it moving through space long after its engines had shut off"
     
  2. A disposition to remain inactive or inert
    "he had to overcome his inertia and get back to work";
    - inactiveness, inactivity

Derived forms: inertias

Type of: mechanical phenomenon, trait

Encyclopedia: Inertia