dormant
UK: ˈdɔːmənt | US: ˈdɔːrmənt
adj. in a state of rest or inactivity; not active or growing
adj. (biology) temporarily inactive, as in hibernation or a seed’s dormant phase
adj. (volcanology) describing a volcano not currently erupting but capable of future activity
dormant = dorm<sleep> + ant<adjective suffix>
- dorm<sleep>: From Latin dormire ("to sleep"), seen in words like dormitory (a sleeping place) and dormouse (a hibernating rodent).
- ant<adjective suffix>: A suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a state or quality (e.g., brilliant, resistant).
Etymology Origin:
The word dormant traces back to Old French dormant ("sleeping"), derived from Latin dormire. Its core logic revolves around the metaphor of "sleep" to describe temporary inactivity—whether in plants, animals, or geological phenomena. Over time, it expanded from literal sleep to figurative pauses in activity, retaining its root structure clearly in modern English.
The bear remained dormant in its den throughout the winter.
The project lay dormant for years until funding was renewed.
Seeds can stay dormant in soil until conditions are right for germination.
The volcano is dormant but still monitored for seismic activity.
Her artistic talents were dormant until she took up painting again.