estivation

[ es-tuh-vey-shuhn ]

noun

1. Zoology. the act of estivating.
2. Botany. the arrangement of the parts of a flower in the bud.

estivation

/ ˌiːstɪˈveɪʃən; ˌɛs- /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of aestivation

estivation

/ ĕs′tə-vā′shən /

1. An inactive state resembling deep sleep, in which some animals living in hot climates, such as certain snails, pass the summer. Estivation protects these animals against heat and dryness.
2. Compare hibernation

Word History and Origins

Origin of estivation¹

First recorded in 1615–25; estivate + -ion

Example Sentences

It's as if Picasso's famous R&D department were on vacation, in some form of estivation.

From New York Times

Snug and protected, the fish then go into a period of estivation, a period of dormancy some animals go into during the hot months, like a summer version of hibernation.

From National Geographic

It was clear that nature was in preparation for her estivation.

From Project Gutenberg

But in places where it’s boiling hot in the shade for days, months or even longer, some resourceful animals resort to estivation, the hot-climate version of hibernation.

From Washington Post

The dry season here is not excessive, nor is there any estivation, as in some tropical countries.

From Project Gutenberg