ˈhībə(r)ˌnāt, usu -ād.+V intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin hibernatus, past participle of hibernare, from hibernus of winter, wintry; akin to Latin hiems winter, Greek cheimōn, Old Slavic zima, Sanskrit himā
1.
a. : to pass the winter in a torpid or lethargic state ; specifically : to pass the winter in a torpid condition in which the body temperature drops to a little above freezing and metabolic activity is reduced nearly to zero — used especially of various mammals; compare aestivate
b. : to pass the winter in a resting state — used especially of the spores and winter buds of various plants
2.
a. : to pass the winter especially in a milder climate
six million farmers lived close enough to Florida to hibernate there easily — Alva Johnston
b. : to be or become inactive or dormant
a few mots survive, to hibernate in the mind, and come out again on an early summer day — Osbert Sitwell