Monday, January 19, 2004
hi·ber·nate [ hbər nàyt ]
1. BIOLOGY pass winter asleep: to be in a sleeplike dormant state over the winter while living off reserves of body fat, with a decrease in body temperature and pulse rate and slower metabolism. Animals that hibernate include bears, bats, and many amphibians.
2. become less active: to become less active, especially by staying at home rather than going out to socialize ( informal humorous )
[Early 19th century. From Latin hibernare , from hiberna “winter quarters,” a noun use of a form of hibernus “wintry.”]
1. BIOLOGY pass winter asleep: to be in a sleeplike dormant state over the winter while living off reserves of body fat, with a decrease in body temperature and pulse rate and slower metabolism. Animals that hibernate include bears, bats, and many amphibians.
2. become less active: to become less active, especially by staying at home rather than going out to socialize ( informal humorous )
[Early 19th century. From Latin hibernare , from hiberna “winter quarters,” a noun use of a form of hibernus “wintry.”]
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