inert vs otiose

inert

adj
  • Having no therapeutic action. 

  • Unable to move or act; inanimate. 

  • Sluggish or lethargic. 

  • In chemistry, not readily reacting with other elements or compounds. 

noun
  • A substance that does not react chemically. 

verb
  • To fill with an inert gas to reduce the risk of explosion. 

otiose

adj
  • Having no effect. 

  • Having no reason for being (raison d’être); having no point, reason, or purpose. 

  • Done in a careless or perfunctory manner. 

  • Reluctant to work or to exert oneself. 

  • Of a person, possessing a bored indolence. 

How often have the words inert and otiose occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )