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hibernation

 - 5 dictionary results

hi⋅ber⋅nate

  [hi-ber-neyt]
Use hibernation in a Sentence
–verb (used without object), -nat⋅ed, -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; < L hībernātus (ptp. of hībernāre to spend the winter). See hibernal, -ate 1

Related forms:
hi⋅ber⋅na⋅tion, noun
hi⋅ber⋅na⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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hi·ber·nate   (hī'bər-nāt')   
intr.v.   hi·ber·nat·ed, hi·ber·nat·ing, hi·ber·nates

  1. To pass the winter in a dormant or torpid state.

  2. To be in an inactive or dormant state or period.


[Latin hībernāre, hībernāt-, to winter, from hībernus, relating to winter; see ghei- in Indo-European roots.]
hi'ber·na'tion n., hi'ber·na'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

hibernation

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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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: hi·ber·nate
Pronunciation: 'hI-b&r-"nAt
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Forms: -nat·ed; -nat·ing
: to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state; especially : to pass the winter in a torpid condition in which the body temperature drops to a little above freezing andmetabolic activity is reduced nearly to zero —compare ESTIVATE —hi·ber·na·tion /"hI-b&r-'nA-sh&n/ noun —hi·ber·na·tor /'hI-b&r-"nAt-&r/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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