inoperative

[ in-op-er-uh-tiv, -op-ruh-tiv, -op-uh-rey-tiv ]

/ ɪnˈɒp ər ə tɪv, -ˈɒp rə tɪv, -ˈɒp əˌreɪ tɪv /

not operative; not in operation.

without effect: inoperative remedies.

no longer in effect; void; canceled: The earlier rule is now inoperative.

Origin of inoperative

First recorded in 1625–35; in-³ + operative

in·op·er·a·tive·ness, noun

Or, as we say in Washington, “My prior statement is inoperative.”

My Address—and Apology—to Yale |Christopher Buckley |May 24, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
In the absence of such officers the proposed legislation would be nugatory and inoperative.

A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents |Grover Cleveland
Intention may be inoperative, and effect may be involuntary.

Balzac |Frederick Lawton
Like many other statutes of the time this seems to have been inoperative, for we find 23 Hen.

A Short History of English Agriculture |W. H. R. Curtler

If these sections do not bind the Crown they are meaningless and inoperative.

The Treaty of Waitangi |T. Lindsay Buick
There was no middle course, apparently, to the rabbit kind, lethodyne was either fatal or else inoperative.

Hilda Wade |Grant Allen

inoperative

/ (ɪnˈɒpərətɪv, -ˈɒprə-) /

not operating

useless or ineffective

inoperativeness, noun