dormancy

1 a state of temporary inactivity some volcanoes have eruptive cycles marked by long stretches of dormancy Synonyms cold storage, deep freeze, doldrums, abeyance, holding pattern, latency, moratorium, quiescence, suspended animation, suspense, suspensionRelated Words inaction, inertia, inertness, motionlessness; impasse, standstill; coma, hibernation, hypnosis, repose, rest, sleep, slumber, torpor; recess, recession, remission; downtime, idleness, layoffNear Antonyms recommencement, renewal, resumption, resuscitationAntonyms continuance, continuation

2 lack of action or activity a fighting force that could be roused instantly from dormancy to action Synonyms inaction, idleness, inactivity, inertness, nonaction, quiescenceRelated Words indolence, inertia, languor, lassitude, laziness, lethargy, listlessness, shiftlessness, sleepiness, sloth, sluggishness; dallying, loafing, lolling, loungingNear Antonyms animateness, briskness, exuberance, jazziness, liveliness, peppiness, robustness, sprightliness, vibrancy, vivacity; assiduity, assiduousness, business, diligence, employment, industriousness, industry, occupationAntonyms action, activeness, activity