inaktive

Inaktive is a term used across several languages to denote something that is not active or not in operation. It functions as an adjective in those languages and can also appear as a noun in certain contexts. In English, the corresponding term is inactive, but the cognate form appears in technical vocabulary in related languages.

The word derives from the Latin prefix in- meaning not, combined with actus meaning driven or active. It has cognates in several Germanic languages, such as inaktiv or inaktivite forms, and is related to German inaktiv, Dutch inactief, and English inactive. In Scandinavian languages, similar forms such as inaktive or inaktiv are used to express non-activity.

Inaktive describes dormant or non-operational states across various fields. In biology and medicine, cells, seeds, or pathogens may be in an inactive or latent state; vaccines or treatments may aim to prevent activity of certain agents. In computing, accounts, services, or processes can be marked as inactive or placed in standby to conserve resources. In ecology and environmental science, organisms may spend periods in an inactive or dormant phase, such as seed banks or seasonal dormancy. In sociology and economics, inactive populations or markets refer to those not currently engaged in certain activities, such as paid work or financial transactions.

See also dormant, quiescence, latent, standby.