hibernating

Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.

hi·ber·nate

(hī′bər-nāt′)

intr.v. hi·ber·nat·ed, hi·ber·nat·ing, hi·ber·nates

1. To be in a dormant or torpid state during a cold period, especially during the winter.

2. To be in an inactive or dormant state or period: "In Lawrenceville people hibernated and life passed them by" (Jacqueline Susann).

[Latin hībernāre, hībernāt-, to winter, from hībernus, relating to winter; see ghei- in Indo-European roots.]

hi′ber·na′tion n.

hi′ber·na′tor n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Adj.

hibernating - in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation; "dormant buds"; "a hibernating bear"; "torpid frogs"

dormant, torpid

biological science, biology - the science that studies living organisms

asleep - in a state of sleep; "were all asleep when the phone rang"; "fell asleep at the wheel"

References in classic literature ?

No work was done in the winter, and they made a practice of hibernating in the large camps like Circle City during the long Arctic night.

View in context

The first version of its drug-discovery platform focuses on hibernating mammals, a particularly attractive opportunity for adaptation-inspired therapeutics.

Fauna Bio receives USD4.1m from seed funding

If you have just scoffed, snorted in derision and put down your Echo at the idea that hibernating a reptile, which has literally evolved to hibernate, is a cause for anxiety - bear with me.

Hibernating for winter is not as easy as just going to sleep

If they are hibernating in your garden, just be aware that they may have found refuge in your compost heap, so be careful when turning it.

Help our wildlife take a walk on the mild side this winter; HomeImprovements Hannah Stephenson reveals how to ensure birds, small mammals and insects survive the colder months

2012) whereas in parts of mainland Europe hibernating in caves may be common (Krystufek & Flajsman 2007, Krystufek 2010).

Movements by edible dormice (Glis glis) to their hibernation site and implications for population control

A planning officer said: "These dormice sleep during the winter, so nothing can take place during the winter as they will be hibernating."

Building work delayed as dormice begin hibernation

Another delightful water-color illustrated collection of poems for children by Mary Alice Sutherland, "A Hibernating Bear and a Holiday Hare" is a collection of seventeen poems about the world seen through the eyes of the young and young at heart.

A Hibernating Bear and a Holiday Hare

If you have a pond, aquatic frogs may be hibernating in the mud at the bottom so don't let it freeze over completely as this will cut off their oxygen supply.

CREATURE COMFORTS; All that lovely wildlife that helps your plants to flourish needs your support now winter is on its way. From toads in holes to bug hotels, try these warming tips

Hibernating wildlife such as hedgehogs need a place to overwinter safely.

Creatures ofHABITAT; ALL THAT LOVELY WILDLIFE THAT HELPS YOUR PLANTS TO FLOURISH NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT NOW WINTER IS ON ITS WAY. FROM TOADS IN HOLES TO BUG HOTELS, TRY THESE WARMING TIPS

Speedy the tortoise At this time of year, many owners are considering hibernating their tortoise and the conventional technique has been to place them in a shoe box in the attic.

Caring for tortoises in winter

Hibernating animals, in the strictest sense, stop regulating body temperature, says Peter Klopfer, cofounder of the Duke Lemur Center in Durham, N.C.