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diapause

(dī′ə pôz′)

☆

noun

a period of delayed development or growth accompanied by reduced metabolism and inactivity, esp. in certain insects, snails, etc.

Origin: Gr diapausis, a pause < diapauein, to bring to an end, pause: see dia- & pause

See diapause in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Zoology

A period during which growth or development is suspended and physiological activity is diminished, as in certain insects in response to adverse environmental conditions.

Origin:

Origin: Greek diapausis, pause

Origin: , from diapauein, to pause

Origin: : dia-, between; see dia-

Origin: + pauein, to stop

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