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Glite Dictionary
to estivate

to estivate

1 9.9
To spend a hot, dry period inactive, as some animals do in summer
  • verb
  • /ˈɛstɪˌveɪt/
  • Specialized
: estivar
  • Many desert animals, such as tortoises, estivate to survive the extreme heat of summer.

Examples

  • The tortoises estivate to survive the summer heat.

  • During extreme heat, certain amphibians estivate instead of remaining active.

  • Some desert snails estivate to survive the harsh, dry summer months.

  • The lungfish will estivate in the mud until the rains return.

  • Some frogs estivate during the hottest months.

  • During the dry months, some frogs estivate in underground burrows to avoid harsh conditions.

  • The garden snails estivate during the hot summer days, emerging only when temperatures drop.

Synonyms

to lie dormant
vsto estivate
11 6.7

To be inactive but able to become active again

occurs during hot or dry periods, typically in the summer

Surface Forms

estivate infinitive
estivated past
estivated past participle
estivating present participle
estivates third person singular

Morphology

estivate = (opaque) = estiv + ate

There is no recognizable English base word for 'estiv', so the derivation is opaque to learners.

Etymology

The word estivate comes from the Latin root aestas, which means 'summer'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of it as the summer version of hibernate. Animals 'sleep' or stay inactive during hot, dry months, so to estivate is to become quiet and inactive in summer.