aestivation
NounSynonyms:
estivation
Open English WordNet
Noun (2)
- (zoology) cessation or slowing of activity during the summer; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals during a hot or dry periodSynonyms: estivationType of dormancy, quiescence
- (botany) the arrangement of sepals and petals in a flower bud before it opensSynonyms: estivationType of arrangementPart of flower bud
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Æs′ti·va′tion (…), noun
1. Zoology The state of torpidity induced by the heat and dryness of summer, as in certain snails; — opposed to hibernation.
2. Botany The arrangement of the petals in a flower bud, as to folding, overlapping, etc.; prefloration. Asa Gray
[Spelt also estivation.]
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54