Definition Definition

dormant - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'dormant' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Dormant [ a.]
- Sleeping; as, a dormant animal; hence, not in action or exercise; quiescent; at rest; in abeyance; not disclosed, asserted, or insisted on; as, dormant passions; dormant claims or titles.
- In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant.
- A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of the other timbers rest or " sleep."

Meaning of 'dormant' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . dormant [ a]
Meaning (1):
- (of e.g. volcanos) not erupting and not extinct
Example in sentence:
  • a dormant volcano
2 . dormant [ s]
Meaning (2):
- in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
Example in sentence:
  • a hibernating bear;
  • dormant buds;
  • torpid frogs
Meaning (3):
- inactive but capable of becoming active
Example in sentence:
  • her feelings of affection are dormant but easily awakened