inertia
UK: ɪˈnɜːʃə | US: ɪˈnɜːrʃə
n. 1. (Physics) The property of matter by which it remains at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force.
n. 2. A tendency to remain unchanged or inactive; resistance to motion, action, or change.
The word "inertia" originates from Latin inertia, meaning "idleness" or "lack of skill," derived from iners (in- "not" + ars "skill, art"). In physics, it was adopted by Galileo and later Newton to describe the resistance of objects to changes in motion. The morpheme inert preserves the core idea of inactivity, while -ia forms an abstract noun, reflecting a state or quality. This evolution mirrors the conceptual shift from human idleness to a fundamental physical property.
The car's inertia kept it moving forward even after the brakes were applied.
Overcoming bureaucratic inertia is often the hardest part of implementing reforms.
Newton's First Law of Motion defines inertia as the tendency of objects to maintain their state of motion.
She felt a strange inertia after finishing the project, unable to start anything new.
The heavy door's inertia made it difficult to push open.