adj.
Pronunciation: ' do ̇ r-m ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, fixed, stationary, from Anglo-French, from present participle of dormir to sleep, from Latin dormire; akin to Sanskrit dr ā ti he sleeps
Date: circa 1500
1 : represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws
2 : marked by a suspension of activity: as a : temporarily devoid of external activity <a dormant volcano> b : temporarily in abeyance yet capable of being activated
3 a : ASLEEP , INACTIVE b : having the faculties suspended : SLUGGISH c : having biological activity suspended: as (1) : being in a state of suspended animation (2) : not actively growing but protected (as by bud scales) from the environment ― used of plant parts
4 : associated with, carried out, or applied during a period of dormancy < dormant grafting>
synonyms see LATENT