aestivate

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

verb (used without object)

, aes·ti·vat·ed, aes·ti·vat·ing.

1. estivate.

aestivate

/ ˈiːstɪˌveɪt; ˈɛs- /

verb

1. to pass the summer
2. See hibernate
   (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

In such cases the insect must aestivate rather than hibernate.

From Project Gutenberg

The Australian mudfish (Ceratodus) is not known to hibernate or aestivate.

From Project Gutenberg