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hibernation

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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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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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