— estivator , n.
/es"teuh vayt'/ , v.i. , estivated, estivating .
1. to spend the summer, as at a specific place or in a certain activity.
2. Zool. to spend a hot, dry season in an inactive, dormant state, as certain reptiles, snails, insects, and small mammals. Cf. hibernate .
[ 1620-30; aestivatus, ptp. of aestivare to reside during the summer (akin to aestivus of or relating to summer); see -ATE 1 ]