Dormant \Dor"mant\, a. [F., p. pr. of dormir to sleep, from L.
dormire; cf. Gr. ?, Skr. dr[=a], OSlav. dr?mati.]
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.) 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |