aestivate

[ es-tuh-veytor, especially British, ee-stuh- ]

verb (used without object)

, aes·ti·vat·ed, aes·ti·vat·ing.

1. estivate.

aestivate

/ ˈɛs-; ˈiːstɪˌveɪt /

verb

1. to pass the summer
2. (of animals such as the lungfish) to pass the summer or dry season in a dormant condition Compare hibernate

Derived Forms

• ˈaestiˌvator, noun

Other Words From

• aesti·vation noun
• aesti·vator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of aestivate¹

C17: from Latin aestīvātus, from aestīvāre to stay during the summer, from aestās summer

Example Sentences

But like many who came before them, the researchers found no hordes of aestivating mosquitoes.

From Nature

Terrestrial molluscs lie dormant in the winter in cold and temperate latitudes and their tropical allies aestivate in districts where conditions enforce the habit.

From Project Gutenberg

In such cases the insect must aestivate rather than hibernate.

From Project Gutenberg

In summer we had no fear of this creature, as it buries itself in the soil and aestivates during the hot, dry season, and comes forth in wet weather.

From Project Gutenberg

The land molluscs of the district are the only animals which aestivate; they are found in clusters, Bulimi and Helices, concealed in hollow trees, the mouths of their shells closed by a film of mucus.

From Project Gutenberg