hibernate
UK /ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/ · US /ˈhaɪbəɹˌneɪt/ verb
Forms hibernates hibernating hibernated hivernate hybernate
- verb (intransitive, biology) 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. “Hedgehogs and bears are two of the many mammals that hibernate in winter.”
- verb (intransitive) To live in seclusion.
- verb (intransitive, computing) To enter a standby state which conserves power without losing the contents of memory.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin hībernātus, perfect passive participle of hībernō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from hībernus (“wintry”).
Webster’s 1913
- verb To winter; to pass the season of winter in close quarters, in a torpid or lethargic state, as certain mammals, reptiles, and insects.
Etymology [L. hibernare, hibernatum, fr. hibernu wintry. See Hibernal.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “hibernate”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details