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hibernate

[ hi-ber-neyt ]
/ ˈhɪ bərˌneɪt /
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See synonyms for: hibernate / hibernating / hibernation on Thesaurus.com

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.
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

First recorded in 1795–1805, hibernate is from the Latin word hībernātus (past participle of hībernāre to spend the winter). See hibernal, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM hibernate

hi·ber·na·tion, nounhi·ber·na·tor, nounpost·hi·ber·na·tion, adjectivesem·i·hi·ber·na·tion, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hibernate

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

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, noun

Word 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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