Synonyms

hibernation

[hi-ber-neyt] Example Sentences Origin

hi·ber·nate

[hi-ber-neyt]
verb (used without object), hi·ber·nat·ed, hi·ber·nat·ing.
1.
Zoology. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals. Compare estivate.
2.
to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.
3.
to winter in a place with a milder climate: Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida.

Origin:
1795–1805; < Latin hībernātus (past participle of hībernāre to spend the winter). See hibernal, -ate1

hi·ber·na·tion, noun
hi·ber·na·tor, noun
post·hi·ber·na·tion, adjective
sem·i·hi·ber·na·tion, noun

estivate, hibernate.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To hibernation

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Hibernation is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
Example Sentences
  • It is unlikely this was hibernation in the zoological sense.
  • There are long summer days for the gathering of food, and brief winter days for hibernation.
  • The sweet fragrance of the pure white blossoms in early spring drew the honeybees out of hibernation.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
hibernate (ˈhaɪbəˌneɪt)
 
vb
1.  Compare aestivate (of some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) to pass the winter in a dormant condition with metabolism greatly slowed down
2.  to cease from activity
 
[C19: from Latin hībernāre to spend the winter, from hībernus of winter, from hiems winter]
 
hiber'nation
 
n
 
'hibernator
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

hibernation
1664, from L. hibernationem (nom. hibernatio "the action of passing the winter," from hibernare "to winter," from hiems "winter," from PIE *gheim- "snow, winter" (cf. Skt. heman "in winter," Hittite gimmanza, Gk. kheima, O.C.S. zima, Lith. ziema "winter"). Hibernate is first attested 1802.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
hibernation   (hī'bər-nā'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
An inactive state resembling deep sleep in which certain animals living in cold climates pass the winter. In hibernation, the body temperature is lowered and breathing and heart rates slow down. Hibernation protects the animal from cold and reduces the need for food during the season when food is scarce. Compare estivation.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

hibernation definition


Passing the winter in a sleeping or inactive condition. Bears, ground squirrels, woodchucks, and several other kinds of animals hibernate.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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