estivation Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (zoology) cessation or slowing of activity during the summer; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals during a hot or dry period
    aestivation.
  2. noun (botany) the arrangement of sepals and petals in a flower bud before it opens
    aestivation.

WordNet


Æs`ti*va"tion noun (Also<
  • AEstivation
  • Æstivation
  • Estivation
)
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The state of torpidity induced by the heat and dryness of summer, as in certain snails; -- opposed to hibernation.
  2. (Bot.) The arrangement of the petals in a flower bud, as to folding, overlapping, etc.; prefloration. Gray. Spelt also estivation.

Webster 1913