(of an animal) having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep:dormant butterflies figurativethe event evoked memories that she would rather had lain dormant
(of a plant or bud) alive but not actively growing.
(of a volcano) temporarily inactive.
(of a disease) causing no symptoms but not cured and liable to recur:the disease may remain dormant and undetected until transmitted to other fish
[usually postpositive] Heraldry (of an animal) depicted lying with its head on its paws.
