hibernate
[hi-ber-neyt]
- Zoology. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals.Compare estivate.
- to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.
- to winter in a place with a milder climate: Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida.
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Origin of hibernate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for hibernate
Contemporary Examples
After these well-meaning moments they are left alone to hibernate with their own devastation.
Historical Examples
Simply a hole to hibernate in and to sleep and eat in in summer.
Other Main-Travelled RoadsHamlin Garland
Apparently he does not hibernate, for on sunny days he may be seen the year round.
The Rocky Mountain WonderlandEnos A. Mills
And besides, it is fairly certain that they, like most others of their kind, hibernate.
The Shadow PassesRoy J. Snell
It does not hibernate, and may be seen in winter pursuing its prey beneath the ice.
Animal Life of the British IslesEdward Step
The Squirrel does not hibernate, as it is said by the older writers to do.
Animal Life of the British IslesEdward Step
hibernate
- (of some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) to pass the winter in a dormant condition with metabolism greatly slowed downCompare aestivate
- to cease from activity
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Word Origin
C19: from Latin hībernāre to spend the winter, from hībernus of winter, from hiems winter
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
Word Origin and History for hibernate
v.
1802, probably a back-formation from hibernation. Related: Hibernated; hibernating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper