inanimate Inan"imate, a. [L. inanimatus; pref. in- not + animatus animate.] Not animate; destitute of life or spirit; lifeless; dead; inactive; dull; as, stones and earth are inanimate substances. ------------------------------------------------------------ Something can be lifeless without being dead, and this person is CERTAINLY inactive and dull. You don't have to take the ENTIRE definition, if it fits PART of the definition i think it should be allowed.