quiescence

Rarely qui·es·cen·cy

[kwee-es-uhns, kwahy-]

noun

1. quietness or stillness; inactivity or dormancy.

   After a year of apparent quiescence, the region’s cities have once again erupted into street demonstrations.

2. Biology,,  the state of producing no symptoms; remission, as of a disease, tumor, or other disorder.

   Periodontal disease may be characterized by episodes of activity followed by periods of relative quiescence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiescence¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin quiescentia “rest,” from Latin quiescent-, stem of quiescēns ( quiescent ( def. ) ) + -ia ( def. )