hibernate
[ hi-ber-neyt ]
/ ˈhɪ bərˌneɪt /
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
OTHER WORDS FROM hibernate
hi·ber·na·tion, nounhi·ber·na·tor, nounpost·hi·ber·na·tion, adjectivesem·i·hi·ber·na·tion, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH hibernate
estivate, hibernateWords nearby hibernate
hibachi, hibakusha, Hibbing, hibernaculum, hibernal, hibernate, hibernation, Hibernia, Hibernian, Hibernicism, Hibernicize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for hibernate
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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