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hibernate
[ hahy-ber-neyt ]
/ ˈhaɪ bərˌneɪt /
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verb (used without object), hi·ber·nat·ed, hi·ber·nat·ing.
Zoology. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals.Compare estivate (def. 2).
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
OTHER WORDS FROM hibernate
hi·ber·na·tion [hahy-ber-ney-shuhn], /ˌhaɪ bərˈneɪ ʃən/, nounhi·ber·na·tor, nounpost·hi·ber·na·tion, adjectivesem·i·hi·ber·na·tion, nounWords nearby hibernate
hibachi, hibakusha, Hibbing, hibernaculum, hibernal, hibernate, hibernation, Hibernia, Hibernian, Hibernicism, Hibernicize
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use hibernate in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for hibernate
hibernate
/ (ˈhaɪbəˌneɪt) /
verb (intr)
(of some mammals, reptiles, and amphibians) to pass the winter in a dormant condition with metabolism greatly slowed downCompare aestivate
to cease from activity
Derived forms of hibernate
hibernation, nounhibernator, nounWord Origin for hibernate
C19: from Latin hībernāre to spend the winter, from hībernus of winter, from hiems winter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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