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Dormancy: meaning, definitions and examples

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dormancy

 

[ ˈdɔːmənsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

inactivity

Dormancy is the state of being inactive or having suspended development. It is a period of rest or inactivity, especially in plants or animals during the colder months.

Synonyms

inactivity, quiescence, suspended animation

Examples of usage

  • The seeds lay in dormancy until the spring warmth triggered their growth.
  • Bears go into dormancy during the winter months to conserve energy.
Context #2 | Noun

legal term

In legal terms, dormancy refers to a period of time during which no activity or transactions take place. It is often used in the context of bank accounts or assets that have not been touched or accessed for a certain period.

Synonyms

inactivity, non-operation, stagnation

Examples of usage

  • The account was declared dormant after three years of inactivity.
  • The law required the assets to be transferred to the state due to their dormancy.
Context #3 | Noun

biology

In biology, dormancy is a state of reduced metabolic activity in organisms. It is a survival strategy adopted by some animals and plants to cope with unfavorable environmental conditions.

Synonyms

hibernation, suspended animation, torpor

Examples of usage

  • During hibernation, animals enter a state of dormancy to conserve energy.
  • Some plants enter dormancy during the dry season to avoid water loss.

Translations

Translations of the word "dormancy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dormência

🇮🇳 निष्क्रियता

🇩🇪 Ruhezustand

🇮🇩 keterkaitan

🇺🇦 сплячка

🇵🇱 uśpienie

🇯🇵 休眠

🇫🇷 dormance

🇪🇸 latencia

🇹🇷 uyku hali

🇰🇷 휴면

🇸🇦 سبات

🇨🇿 klidový stav

🇸🇰 dormancia

🇨🇳 休眠

🇸🇮 mirovanje

🇮🇸 dvala

🇰🇿 ұйқысыздық

🇬🇪 მძინარობა

🇦🇿 yatma vəziyyəti

🇲🇽 latencia

Etymology

The word 'dormancy' originated from the Latin word 'dormire' meaning 'to sleep'. It first appeared in the English language in the early 17th century. The concept of dormancy is widely observed in nature, where organisms enter a state of rest to conserve energy and survive harsh conditions.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,878, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.