dormant

dor·mant

adj \ˈdȯr-mənt\

Definition of DORMANT

1

: represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws

2

: marked by a suspension of activity: as a : temporarily devoid of external activity <a dormant volcano> b : temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated

3

a : asleep, inactive b : having the faculties suspended : sluggish c : having biological activity suspended: as (1) : being in a state of suspended animation (2) : not actively growing but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment —used of plant parts

4

: associated with, carried out, or applied during a period of dormancy <dormant grafting>

Examples of DORMANT

1. The seeds will remain dormant until the spring.
2. Her emotions have lain dormant for many years.

Origin of DORMANT

Middle English, fixed, stationary, from Anglo-French, from present participle of dormir to sleep, from Latin dormire; akin to Sanskrit drāti he sleeps

First Known Use: circa 1500

Related to DORMANT

Synonyms: asleep, dozing, napping, resting, sleeping, slumbering

Antonyms: awake, sleepless, wakeful, wide-awake

Related Words: drowsy, nodding, sleepy, slumberous (or slumbrous), somnolent; dreaming, reposing; hypnotized, mesmerized; comatose, semiconscious; sleepwalking, somnambulant

Near Antonyms: aware, conscious; sleepless; aroused, astir, awakened, roused, up, wakened; reawakened, revived

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at latent

Other Heraldry Terms

blazon, cachet, couchant, escutcheon, potent, standard, totem

Rhymes with DORMANT

formant