1 lying inactive as in sleep; sleeping.
2 a (of a volcano etc.) temporarily inactive. b (of potential faculties etc.) in abeyance.
3 (of plants) alive but not actively growing.
4 Heraldry (of a beast) lying with its head on its paws.
Derivatives:
dormancy n.
Etymology: ME f. OF, pres. part. of dormir f. L dormire sleep
Useful english dictionary. 2012.