hibernate

Definition

To spend the winter in a dormant or inactive state of minimal activity, low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate; to go through a winter sleep.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin hībernātus, perfect passive participle of hībernō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from hībernus (“wintry”).

Example Sentences

• "Hedgehogs and bears are two of the many mammals that hibernate in winter."
• "Organisms have developed all sorts of ways of dealing with these variations. They hibernate or estivate or migrate."
• "Your computer hibernates after it has been idle for the specified amount of time."

Related Words