aestivation

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/ˌiːstɪˈveɪʃən/

noun

A state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer: the summer version of hibernation.

Similar
estivation
OriginLatin aestīvātiō →
Scrabble 14
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Meanings

nounaestivation (countable and uncountable, plural aestivations)

plural aestivations · alternative æstivation · alternative estivation

  1. countableuncountablebiologyA state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer: the summer version of hibernation.
  2. countableuncountablebiologyThe arrangement (vernation) of the parts of a flower inside a bud; prefloration.
  3. countableobsoleteuncountableThe spending or passing of a summer.

    On the Vnder Story, tovvards the Garden, Let it be turned to a Grotta, or Place of Shade, or Eſtiuation.

    1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Building. XLV.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 263

Synonyms & antonyms

noun(zoology) cessation or slowing of activity during the summer; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals during a hot or dry period

Similar
estivation
Broader
dormancyquiescencequiescency

noun(botany) the arrangement of sepals and petals in a flower bud before it opens

Similar
estivation
Broader
arrangement

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Latinaestīvō, aestīvāre“to spend or pass the summer in a place”
  2. Latinaestīvātiō
  3. Englishaestivation

Borrowed from Latin aestīvātiō, from Latin aestīvō, aestīvāre (“to spend or pass the summer in a place”), from aestīvus (“of or pertaining to summer”), from aestās (“summer”) + -īvus.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 夏眠
  • 夏眠 (xiàmián)state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Finnish estivaatio, silmulimitys
  • estivaatiostate of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
  • silmulimitysvernation of the parts of flower inside a bud; prefloration
  • vernaatiovernation of the parts of flower inside a bud; prefloration
French estivation
  • estivationstate of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
German Sommerschlaf
  • Sommerschlafstate of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Greek θερινή νάρκη
  • θερινή νάρκη (theriní nárki)state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Japanese 夏眠
  • 夏眠 (kamin)state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Latin aestīvātiō
  • aestīvātiō(obsolete) spending or passing the summer
Polish estywacja
  • estywacjastate of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Portuguese estivação
  • estivaçãostate of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Russian ле́тняя спя́чка, эстива́ция
  • ле́тняя спя́чка (létnjaja spjáčka)state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
  • эстива́ция (estivácija)state of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer
Spanish estivación
  • estivaciónstate of inactivity and metabolic depression during summer

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with aestivation

informationeducationlocationapplicationassociationadministrationorganizationcorporationregistrationAsianfoundationcommunicationpopulationnavigationstationaccommodationoperationpublicationvacationtransportationevaluationimplementationinstallationnation
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

aestivation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aestivation

MLA

“aestivation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aestivation. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “aestivation,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/aestivation.

Source: aestivation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.