Inorganic

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Inorganic \In`or*gan"ic\, a. [Pref. in- not + organic: cf. F.
     inorganique.]
     1. Not organic; without the organs necessary for life; devoid
        of an organized structure; unorganized; lifeness;
        inanimate.
        [1913 Webster]


  
     2. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to compounds that are not
        derivatives of hydrocarbons; not organic[5].
        [PJC]
  
     Note: The term inorganic is used to denote any one the large
           series of substances (as minerals, metals, etc.), which
           are not directly connected with vital processes, either
           in origin or nature, and which are broadly and
           relatively contrasted with organic substances. See
           {Organic}[5].
           [1913 Webster]
  
     {Inorganic Chemistry}. See under {Chemistry}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  inorganic
       adj 1: relating or belonging to the class of compounds not having a
              carbon basis; "hydrochloric and sulfuric acids are
              called inorganic substances" [ant: {organic}]
       2: lacking the properties characteristic of living organisms
          [ant: {organic}]