Estivate

/ˈɛstɪveɪt/ verb

Definition

To spend the summer in a dormant or inactive state, as certain animals do to survive heat and drought; the summer equivalent of hibernation.

Etymology

From Latin 'aestivare,' derived from 'aestivus' (of summer). The verb form describes what animals do during summer, paralleling 'hibernate' which describes winter dormancy.

Kelly Says

Lungfish in Africa can estivate for years in hardened mucus cocoons when their streams dry up, then wake up and resume life when water returns—it's like nature's ultimate pause button.

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