inactivityn.
/ˌɪnakˈtɪvᵻti/, U.S. /ˌɪnækˈtɪvədi/ The quality or condition of being inactive; lack of activity; inertia, sluggishness; passiveness, quiescence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > [noun]
sleepc897
restc1175
passibilityc1485
slumber1554
cessation1603
quiescence1625
torpor1626
quiescency1629
inaction1638
inactivity1640
vacation1644
unactiveness1647
non-acting1648
passiveness1648
requiescence1654
unactivity1654
inertness1661
passivity1667
inactiveness1678
unaction1698
stagnation1711
supinity1725
immechanism1740
inertion1756
repose1757
lifelessness1833
stagnancy1837
unawakenedness1879
stasis1920
1640 O. Sedgwick Christs Counsell 26 Inactivity in our places and relations, is another cause of spirituall languishing and decaying.
1665 J. Glanvill Sciri Tuum: Authors Defense 75 in Scepsis Scientifica Such a dulness and inactivity of humor.
1730 A. Pope Corr. 21 July (1956) III. 121 Poor Fenton..died at Easthamstead, of Indolency and Inactivity.
1782 J. H. St. J. de Crèvecoeur Lett. from Amer. Farmer iii. 77 They have mouldred away their time in inactivity, misinformed husbandry, and ineffectual endeavours.
1830 H. Kater & D. Lardner Treat. Mechanics iii. 33 The term inactivity implying the absence of all force.
1888 W. Besant Eulogy R. Jeffries 85 That kind of belief..is sovereign against low spirits, carelessness, and inactivity.
1904 Collier's 7 May 9/3 He has made no explanation of his legislative inactivity.
1977 C. G. Wolff Feast of Words (1978) ii. 84 She did not write... They were not, however, months of total inactivity.
2007 Procycling June 90/1 Many more people will die from ill health related to inactivity.
Phrases
masterly inactivity n. (also more fully wise and masterly inactivity (now rare)) deliberate and carefully-judged lack of activity; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > inaction > not doing > abstaining or refraining from action > [noun] > deliberate inaction
masterly inactivity1791
1791 J. Mackintosh Vindiciæ Gallicæ i. 44 The Commons, faithful to their system, remained in a wise and masterly inactivity, which tacitly reproached the arrogant assumption of the Nobles.
1846 Maryland Republican (Annapolis) 19 Mar. The day for masterly inactivity is gone... We are in the discharge of a function of awful and tremendous responsibility.
1883 Christian Ethics & Wise Sayings 125 Who is so busy as he that has nothing to do? How many delight in a so-called wise and masterly inactivity?
1905 C. Mason School Educ. iv. 36 We have considered the wisdom and duty of ‘a wise passiveness,’ ‘a masterly inactivity’ in the bringing up of children.
1967 N.Y. Times Mag. 1 Oct. 52/2 We made a series of right moves:..adopting a policy of ‘masterly inactivity’..and maintaining a ‘low profile’.
2000 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 24 Feb. 34/1 The ‘Forward School’ accepted this argument..insisting that the policy of ‘masterly inactivity’ would be interpreted as weakness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1640