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inoperative

UK/ɪnˈɒp(ə)ɹətɪv/US/ɪnˈɑp(ə)ɹətɪv/

adjective

What it means

  1. not comparableNot working or functioning; either idle or broken.

    Let me see if I can dial this number right quick / "I am sorry, the government you have elected is inoperative / Click. Inoperative"

    1974, “H2Ogate Blues”, in Winter in America, performed by Gil Scott-Heron
    1 more example

    RSSB's report, released on September 23 2004, revealed that that the parking brakes on neither trolley had applied. It also revealed how the fixed piping carrying hydraulic pressure to the brake units on both had been severed and blanked off. This meant the parking brakes would not have been able to be released from the RRV. Washers to provide a clamping force to keep the parking brakes on were also missing, rendering them "completely inoperative".

    2024 February 7, Greg Morse, “Tebay tragedy and track safety”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 41
  2. not comparablelawNo longer legally binding.

In a sentence

Let me see if I can dial this number right quick / "I am sorry, the government you have elected is inoperative / Click. Inoperative"

1974, “H2Ogate Blues”, in Winter in America, performed by Gil Scott-Heron

Where it comes from

  1. Proto-Indo-European*né
  2. Proto-Indo-European*n̥-
  3. Proto-Italic*n̥-
  4. Latinin-
  5. Middle Englishin-
  6. Englishin-
  7. Englishoperative
  8. Englishinoperative

From in- + operative.

Full entry for inoperative →

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