estivate

[ es-tuh-veyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, es·ti·vat·ed, es·ti·vat·ing.

to spend the summer, as at a specific place or in a certain activity.
Zoology. to spend a hot, dry season in an inactive, dormant state, as certain reptiles, snails, insects, and small mammals. Compare hibernate ( def 1 ).

estivate

/ ˈɛs-; ˈiːstɪˌveɪt /

verb

intr the usual US spelling of aestivate

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Derived Forms

ˈestiˌvator, noun

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Other Words From

esti·vator noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of estivate¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Latin aestīvātus, past participle of aestīvāre “to reside during the summer” (akin to aestīvus “of or relating to summer”); -ate ¹

estival estivation

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