— hibernation , n. — hibernator , n.
/hi"beuhr nayt'/ , v.i. , hibernated, hibernating .
1. Zool. to spend the winter in close quarters in a dormant condition, as bears and certain other animals. Cf. estivate .
2. to withdraw or be in seclusion; retire.
3. to winter in a place with a milder climate: Each winter finds us hibernating in Florida.
[ 1795-1805; hibernatus (ptp. of hibernare to spend the winter). See HIBERNAL, -ATE 1 ]