dormant

The definition of dormant is someone or something inactive, sleeping or quiet.

(adjective)

An example of dormant is a volcano that isn't currently erupting.

See dormant in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

sleeping
as if asleep; quiet; still
inoperative; inactive
Biol.
1. torpid in winter; in a state of suspended animation
2. live, but not actively growing
Heraldry lying down in a sleeping position: a lion dormant

Origin: ME < OFr prp. of dormir < LL dormire < IE base *dre-, to sleep > Sans ni-dra, sleep

Related Forms:

See dormant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive.
Latent but capable of being activated: “a harrowing experience which . . . lay dormant but still menacing” (Charles Jackson).
Temporarily quiescent: a dormant volcano. See Synonyms at inactive, latent.
In a condition of biological rest or inactivity characterized by cessation of growth or development and the suspension of many metabolic processes.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from

Origin: present participle of dormir, to sleep

Origin: , from Latin dormīre

Related Forms: