quiescence

[ kwee-es-uhns, kwahy- ]

noun

1. quietness or stillness; inactivity or dormancy:

   After a year of apparent quiescence, the region’s cities have once again erupted into street demonstrations.

2. Biology, Medicine/Medical. the state of producing no symptoms; remission, as of a disease, tumor, or other disorder:

   Periodontal disease may be characterized by episodes of activity followed by periods of relative quiescence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quiescence¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin quiescentia “rest,” from Latin quiescent-, stem of quiescēns ( quiescent ( def ) ) + -ia ( def )

Example Sentences

So far, apart from the Never Trumpers, the reaction has been quiescence.

From Salon

In their new technique, however, the researchers found the signatures of autofluorescence can be used to study stem cells' dormant state, known as quiescence.

From Science Daily

Watching these videos is my surest path to calm and quiescence.

From New York Times

But failing to supply electricity carries economic and political risks, especially for nations whose authoritarian regimes have governed according to a simple rule: cheap basic services in exchange for public quiescence.

From Los Angeles Times

A light pulse could rouse them, but after about 20 minutes of quiescence, the animals responded slowly to such pulses, much like a groggy napper.

From Scientific American