inactivate
UK: ɪnˈæktɪveɪt | US: ɪnˈæktɪveɪt
vt. to render inactive; to disable or stop the function of something
vt. (biology/chemistry) to cause a substance, enzyme, or organism to lose its activity
inactivate = in<not> + act<do> + ivate<verb suffix>
- in<not>: Prefix from Latin in-, meaning "not" or "opposite of."
- act<do>: Root from Latin agere (to do, drive), retained in English as "act."
- ivate<verb suffix>: A suffix derived from Latin -ivus (via French -if/-ive), forming verbs meaning "to make or cause to be."
Etymology Origin:
The word "inactivate" combines the negation prefix in- with the root act, reflecting the idea of "undoing" or "stopping action." The suffix -ivate turns it into a verb, emphasizing the process of making something inactive. This structure mirrors scientific and technical usage, where precision in describing processes (e.g., deactivating enzymes) is key.
The scientist used heat to inactivate the virus.
Adding the chemical will inactivate the enzyme’s function.
The system automatically inactivates unused accounts after 90 days.
UV light can inactivate harmful bacteria in water.
The vaccine contains inactivated pathogens to stimulate immunity.