dormancy
Life on hold
Dormancy is a state of reduced activity or suspended development.
Seeds remain in dormancy until conditions favor germination.
Animals enter dormancy to survive harsh seasons.
The word extends to anything temporarily inactive: The volcano has been in dormancy for centuries, The project fell into dormancy during the funding gap.
Dormant is the adjective form.
Temporary cessation of activity
- haltComplete sudden stop
- hiatusBreak in activity
- abeyanceTemporary inactive state
- moratoriumTemporary prohibition or delay
standstill · freeze · intermission · cessation · interruption · respite · lull · interlude
Insect's resting stage
- chrysalisPupal casing for metamorphosis
- cystFluid-filled tissue sac
- embryoOrganism before birth
- larvaImmature feeding stage
egg · diapause · aestivation · quiescence · metabolic depression · cocoon · overwintering · revival
Inactive, sluggish state
- bearLarge furry omnivore
- denPrivate room or lair
- winterYear's coldest quarter
- sleepRecurring unconscious repose
metabolism · survival · adaptation · estivation · groundhog · bats · frogs · burrow
Embryonic plant capsule
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
- budUnopened plant growth
- bulbRounded storage organ
- tuberUnderground nutrient reservoir
rhizome · spore · stratification · corm · perennial · deciduous · growth cycle · sprouting
Latent capacity for development
- incipientStarting to develop
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
- untappedNot yet utilized
- hiddenKept out of sight
inactive · unrealized · awaiting · readiness · quiescent · suppressed · nascent · embryonic
pause
Temporary cessation of activity
moratorium · standstill · freeze · intermission · cessation · interruption · respite · lull · interlude · recess
pupa
Insect's resting stage
larva · egg · diapause · aestivation · quiescence · metabolic depression · cocoon · overwintering · revival
torpor
Inactive, sluggish state
sleep · metabolism · survival · adaptation · estivation · groundhog · bats · frogs · burrow · cave
seed
Embryonic plant capsule
- germinationSeed's initial growth phase
- budUnopened plant growth
- bulbRounded storage organ
tuber · rhizome · spore · stratification · corm · perennial · deciduous · growth cycle · sprouting · chilling requirement
potential
Latent capacity for development
- incipientStarting to develop
- underlyingExisting beneath the surface
- untappedNot yet utilized
hidden · inactive · unrealized · awaiting · readiness · quiescent · suppressed · nascent · embryonic · undeveloped
- desert survivalwater conservation, water storage, water retention, heat tolerance, drought tolerance
- plant adaptationsdrought tolerance, water storage, deep roots, spines, thorns
- plant phenologybudding, blooming, flowering, leaf drop, senescence
- seasonal cyclesbloom, blooming, budding, emergence, flowering
- arboriculturepruning, tree care, tree surgery, espalier, pollarding
- Desiccation Survivaltardigrades, tardigrade, water bears, water bear, brine shrimp
dormancygermination
Seed's initial growth phase
active growth · flowering · sprouting · bloom · budding
dormancyactivity
Engagement in doing
activeness · vibrancy · vivacity · liveliness · briskness
dormancyactivation
Setting into operation
operation · resumption · activity · functioning · revival
- dormant volcanoCurrently quiet volcanic peak
- dormant volcanoesCurrently non-erupting volcanic peaks
- dormant virusPathogen present but inactive
- dormant seasonTime of suspended growth
- dormant accountUnused financial holding
- dormant stateInactive period of rest