from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
inactivate \inactivate\ v. t. [imp. & p. p. {inactivated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {inactivating}.]
to make inactive; as, boiling will inactivate most enzymes;
acetylation of the antibiotic inactivated it.
Syn: deactivate.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
Note: To inactivate an enzyme or chemical usually renders it
permanently inactive; to inactivate a machine (as by
turning a switch) may be reversible, and for machines
and devices, the term {deactivate} is usually used. The
distinction is worth preserving.
[PJC]