hibernate
hibernate — verb
1. When animals hibernate, they enter a deep, prolonged rest throughout the winter
When animals hibernate, they enter a deep, prolonged rest throughout the winter season, during which their body functions slow down greatly to preserve energy.
Minh learnt that bears hibernate in caves during the coldest months.
hibernate + in [location]
Hedgehogs hibernate under piles of leaves to stay warm through winter.
hibernate under [protective covering]
Before they hibernate, chipmunks collect large amounts of food inside their burrows.
Each winter, the turtles in Hao's local pond hibernate at the muddy bottom until spring arrives.
- overwinter
More technical; focuses on surviving winter rather than the method of inactivity
- brumate
Specific to reptiles and amphibians; describes cold-weather dormancy with different physiology
- awaken
To come out of hibernation
文法句型
hibernate + in/under/through [location/time]
用法筆記
Subject is always an animal. Not used for human sleep, even in casual contexts. Common hibernating animals include bears, hedgehogs, bats, ground squirrels, frogs, and some reptiles.
常見錯誤
2. to stay completely inactive for a period of time, especially when waiting for be
to stay completely inactive for a period of time, especially when waiting for better conditions before starting again.
To save battery, the laptop automatically hibernates after thirty minutes of inactivity.
hibernate (computer: power-saving mode)
The hospital's expansion plan had to hibernate because of budget cuts.
Some viruses can hibernate inside nerve cells for decades before becoming active again.
Reuben decided to let his photography business hibernate while he went back to university.
- lie dormant
Describes the state rather than the process; suggests longer or more indefinite inactivity
- pause
Less specific about the length or depth of the break; can be very short
- go into abeyance
More formal; used for legal matters, rules, or official processes set aside temporarily
文法句型
hibernate + (for [duration])
force + object + to hibernate
hibernate + (until [condition])
用法筆記
Often used figuratively in technology (computers entering power-saving mode), business (projects or plans put on hold), and medicine (viruses remaining latent in the body). Unlike sense 1, the subject can be a non-living thing or abstract entity. Frequently followed by an adverbial of time or place.