suspended animation

noun

1. a state of temporary cessation of the vital functions.

suspended animation

noun

1. a temporary cessation of the vital functions, as by freezing an organism

Word History and Origins

Origin of suspended animation¹

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

When conditions get tough, some tiny animals enter suspended animation and wait it out.

From Science News For Students

Scientists have long worried about the potential for massive amounts of carbon being released by northern permafrost, where ancient plant remains lie in a kind of suspended animation beneath the surface.

From Washington Post

After freezing Hypsibius dujardini tardigrades to put them in a state of suspended animation, Traspas Muiña and planetary scientist Mark Burchell of the University of Kent in England loaded the dormant water bears into nylon bullets.

From Science News

In a state akin to suspended animation, the squirrels breathe just once a minute, and their hearts beat five times per minute.

From Science News

The treacherously cold water can actually send a person into a state of suspended animation.

From Popular-Science

As for Ready for Hillary, it now survives in a sort of suspended animation.

From The Daily Beast

Wananda did not kill her, but placed her in suspended animation within the protective crystal plastic.

From Project Gutenberg

There was but one creature, and he was lying perfectly still, either in a state of suspended animation or else of death.

From Project Gutenberg

As far as Bart knew, no human being had ever survived warp-drive except in the suspended animation which they called cold-sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

The policemen shivered out of their state of suspended animation.

From Project Gutenberg

In cases of suspended animation from hanging, the assistance must be prompt and energetic.

From Project Gutenberg