Hibernization

/ˌhɪbərnəˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

The process of entering a state of hibernation or the act of making something hibernate-like in character.

Etymology

From Late Latin 'hibernus' (wintry) combined with the suffix '-ization' meaning to make or cause to become. The root traces back to 'hibernus' which relates to winter dormancy patterns.

Kelly Says

This word is rarely used in English, but it shows how we build new scientific terms by combining Latin roots with modern suffixes—linguists do this constantly to describe new biological processes we discover.

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