hibernaculum

[ hahy-ber-nak-yuh-luhm ]

/ ˌhaɪ bərˈnæk yə ləm /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON OPPOSITES OF RED BEFORE YOU TURN SCARLET

We have a challenge that will make you blush: do you know the many words and ways to describe the opposite of red?

Question 1 of 7

Which of the following colors is used to symbolize AIR?

white

green

red

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

Words nearby hibernaculum

Hiawatha, The Song of, Hib, hibachi, hibakusha, Hibbing, hibernaculum, hibernal, hibernate, hibernation, Hibernia, Hibernian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use hibernaculum in a sentence

It seems that having migrated to a ledge, the racer promptly finds its hibernaculum and retires for the winter.
Natural History of the Racer Coluber constrictor|Henry S. Fitch
This trend suggests that over periods of years a racer is likely to shift its range or its hibernaculum or both.
Natural History of the Racer Coluber constrictor|Henry S. Fitch
Young caterpillar with hibernaculum (h); caterpillar and chrysalis.
The Butterflies of the British Isles|Richard South
Hibernaculum: a tent or sheath made out of a leaf or other material in which a larva hides or hibernates.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology|John. B. Smith

Soil temperatures were taken in the present study only when the turtle was in a form, hibernaculum, or den.
Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz|John M. Legler

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-năk′yə-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.