DictionaryRoot: dormir
Old French

dormir

to sleep

1 / 1
A dormant deciduous sapling in winter, with bare branches and tightly closed living buds, paired with a smaller spring view of the same sapling leafing out.
adjective

dormant

DOR-munt/ˈdɔːrmənt/

Temporarily inactive but capable of becoming active.

Etymology

The pieces mean “sleeping.” Sleep supplies the image for inactivity that need not be permanent: something dormant is at rest but can become active again.

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