inactivated

1 definition found

inactivated - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  inactivate \inactivate\ v. t. [imp. & p. p. inactivated; p.
     pr. & vb. n. inactivating.]
     to make inactive; as, boiling will inactivate most enzymes;
     acetylation of the antibiotic inactivated it.
  
     Syn: deactivate.
          [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
  
     Note: To inactivate an enzyme or chemical usually renders it
           permanently inactive; to inactivate a machine (as by
           turning a switch) may be reversible, and for machines
           and devices, the term deactivate is usually used. The
           distinction is worth preserving.
           [PJC]