hibernation

hibernation
A torpid condition in which certain animals pass the cold months. True hibernators, such as woodchucks, ground squirrels, dormice, and some others, have body temperatures reduced to near the freezing point, with a very slow heartbeat, low metabolism, and infrequent respirations. Partial hibernators, such as bears, skunks, and raccoons, have reduced physiologic activity during the cold months, but they are not comatose. Cf.:estivation. SYN: winter sleep. [L. hibernus, relating to winter]

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hi·ber·na·tion (hi″bər-naґshən) [L. hibernare to spend the winter] 1. the dormant state in which certain animal species pass the winter; it is characterized by narcosis and by sharp reduction in body temperature and metabolic activity. Cf. estivation. 2. an analogous temporary reduction in function, such as of an organ.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • HIBERNATION — Par hibernation on entend la «manière de passer l’hiver». Il s’agit d’une faculté qu’ont certains êtres vivants de s’adapter aux conditions climatiques hivernales: abaissement de la température moyenne, réduction des heures d’éclairement,… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Hibernation — Hi ber*na tion, n. [Cf. F. hibernation.] The act or state of hibernating. Evelyn. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hibernation — ⇒ Winterschlaf …   Deutsch wörterbuch der biologie

  • hibernation — • hibernation, vintervila, vintersömn …   Svensk synonymlexikon

  • hibernation — 1660s, from L. hibernationem (nom. hibernatio) the action of passing the winter, noun of action from pp. stem of hibernare to winter, pass the winter, occupy winter quarters; related to hiems winter, from PIE *gheim snow, winter (Cf. Skt. heman… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Hibernation — Hérisson européen L’hibernation est un état d’hypothermie régulée, durant plusieurs jours ou semaines qui permet aux animaux de conserver leur énergie pendant l’hiver. Durant l’hibernation les animaux ralentissent leur métabolisme jusqu’à des… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Hibernation — For the ability of certain operating systems, see Hibernate (OS feature) Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate. Hibernation… …   Wikipedia

  • Hibernation — Hi|ber|na|ti|on 〈f. 20〉 1. Überwinterung, Winterschlaf 2. 〈Med.〉 = Heilschlaf (2) [<lat. hibernatio „Überwinterung“; zu hibernare „im Winterquartier liegen“] * * * Hi|ber|na|ti|on, die; , en [lat. hibernatio = das Überwintern]: 1. (Biol.)… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Hibernation — Das Wort Hibernation bezeichnet in der Biologie die Überwinterung von Lebewesen im aktiven oder passiven Zustand (letzteres beispielsweise: Winterschlaf, Winterruhe, Winterstarre); Gegensatz: Ästivation (= Übersommerung, Überstehen der trocken… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • hibernation — See hibernate. * * * State of greatly slowed metabolism and low body temperature in winter in certain animals. True hibernators include many cold blooded animals and a few mammals (e.g., bats, hedgehogs) that go into a near dead state with a near …   Universalium

  • hibernation — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ long ▪ deep ▪ winter VERB + HIBERNATION ▪ go into ▪ At the first sign of colder weather many insects go into …   Collocations dictionary

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