estivation

es·ti·va·tion

also aes·ti·va·tion E0221800 (ĕs′tə-vā′shən)n.1. Zoology A state of dormancy or torpor during a hot dry period.2. Botany The arrangement of the floral parts in a bud.3. The act of spending or passing the summer.

estivation

(ˌiːstɪˈveɪʃən; ˌɛs-) n1. (Botany) the usual US spelling of aestivation2. (Zoology) the usual US spelling of aestivation

es•ti•va•tion

(ˌɛs təˈveɪ ʃən)

n. the act of estivating. [1615–25]

es·ti·va·tion

(ĕs′tə-vā′shən) Zoology 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 the heat and dryness of the summer. Compare hibernation.

estivation, aestivation

Obsolete, summering; the taking of a summer holiday.See also: Recreation

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the arrangement of petals in a flower before it opens; prefloration. Also aestivation.See also: Flowers

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the practice of certain animals of sleeping throughout the summer. Cf. hibernation.See also: Zoology

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	estivation - (zoology) cessation or slowing of activity during the summer; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals during a hot or dry periodaestivationzoological science, zoology - the branch of biology that studies animalsdormancy, quiescence, quiescency - a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction; "the volcano erupted after centuries of dormancy"
	2.	estivation - (botany) the arrangement of sepals and petals in a flower bud before it opensaestivationphytology, botany - the branch of biology that studies plantsarrangement - an orderly grouping (of things or persons) considered as a unit; the result of arranging; "a flower arrangement"flower bud - a bud from which only a flower or flowers develop