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hibernaculum

[ hahy-ber-nak-yuh-luhm ]
/ ˌhaɪ bərˈnæk yə ləm /
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noun, plural hi·ber·nac·u·la [hahy-ber-nak-yuh-luh]. /ˌhaɪ bərˈnæk yə lə/.
a protective case or covering, especially for winter, as of an animal or a plant bud.
winter quarters, as of a hibernating animal.
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Also hi·ber·nac·le [hahy-ber-nak-uhl]. /ˈhaɪ bərˌnæk əl/.

Origin of hibernaculum

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin hībernāculum “winter residence,” equivalent to hībernā(re) “to spend the winter” + -culum suffix denoting place
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hibernaculum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hibernaculum

hibernaculum

hibernacle (ˈhaɪbəˌnækəl)

/ (ˌhaɪbəˈnækjʊləm) /

noun plural -ula (-jʊlə) or -les rare
the winter quarters of a hibernating animal
the protective case or covering of a plant bud or animal

Word Origin for hibernaculum

C17: from Latin: winter residence; see hibernate
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for hibernaculum

hibernaculum
[ hī′-bər-năkyə-ləm ]

A protective case, covering, or structure, such as a plant bud, in which an organism remains dormant for the winter.
The shelter of a hibernating animal.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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