diapause

[ dahy-uh-pawz ]

noun
  1. a period of hormonally controlled quiescence, especially in immature insects, characterized by cessation of growth and reduction of metabolic activity, often occurring seasonally or when environmental conditions are unfavorable.

verb (used without object),di·a·paused, di·a·paus·ing.
  1. to undergo diapause.

Origin of diapause

1
1890–95; <Greek diápausis;see dia-, pause

Words Nearby diapause

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British Dictionary definitions for diapause

diapause

/ (ˈdaɪəˌpɔːz) /


noun
  1. a period of suspended development and growth accompanied by decreased metabolism in insects and some other animals. It is correlated with seasonal changes

Origin of diapause

1
C19: from Greek diapausis pause, from diapauein to pause, bring to an end, from dia- + pauein to stop

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