English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

From Latin hībernātus, from hībernāre, from hībernus (winter).

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈhaɪbə(r)ˌneɪt/
    • (Southern England) IPA(key): [ˈhɑɪbəˌnɛɪt]
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈhaɪbərˌneɪt/, [ˈhäɪbɚˌneɪt]
  • (Canada, idle-idol split) IPA(key): /ˈhʌɪbərˌneɪt/
    • (Ontario) IPA(key): [ˈhəɪbɚˌne(ɪ)t]
  • (file)

Verb edit

hibernate (third-person singular simple present hibernates, present participle hibernating, simple past and past participle hibernated)

  1. (intransitive, biology) To spend the winter in a dormant or inactive state of minimal activity, low body temperature, slow breathing and heart rate, and low metabolic rate; to go through a winter sleep.
    Coordinate term: estivate
    Hedgehogs and bears are two of the many mammals that hibernate in winter.
  2. (intransitive) To live in seclusion.
  3. (intransitive, computing) To enter a standby state which conserves power without losing the contents of memory.
    • 2001, Microsoft Corp, Use Hibernate and Standby to Conserve Batteries:
      Your computer hibernates after it has been idle for the specified amount of time.

Related terms edit

Translations edit

See also edit

Anagrams edit

Latin edit

Verb edit

hībernāte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of hībernō

Spanish edit

Verb edit

hibernate

  1. second-person singular voseo imperative of hibernar combined with te