Category:Dormant

Dor"mant, a. Etym: [F., p. pr. of dormir to sleep, from L. dormire; cf. Gr. dra, OSlav. dr.]

1. Sleeping; as, a dormant animal; hence, not in action or exercise; quiescent; at rest; in abeyance; not disclosed, asserted, or insisted on; as, dormant passions; dormant claims or titles. It is by lying dormant a long time, or being. . . very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people. Burke.

2. (Her.)

Defn: In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant. Dormant partner (Com.), a partner who takes no share in the active business of a company or partnership, but is entitled to a share of the profits, and subject to a share in losses; -- called also sleeping or silent partner. -- Dormant window (Arch.), a dormer window. See Dormer. -- Table dormant, a stationary table. [Obs.] Chaucer.

dormant Dor"mant, n. Etym: [See Dormant, a.] (Arch.)

Defn: A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of the other timbers rest or " sleep." Arch. Pub. Soc. -- Called also dormant tree, dorman tree, dormond, and dormer. Halliwell.