Definition of estivation in English:


(also aestivation)


  • 1Zoology
    Prolonged torpor or dormancy of an animal during a hot or dry period.

    ‘By shutting down their intestinal tracts during estivation, they reduce their daily energy expenditure and therefore increase the duration that they can survive dormancy.’
  • 2Botany
    The arrangement of petals and sepals in a flower bud before it opens.

    ‘Calibrachoa can, however, be distinguished from Petunia based on the higher chromosome number, chromosome morphology, plant branching habit and type of flower bud estivation.’
    Compare with vernation



/ˌestəˈvāSHən/ /ˌɛstəˈveɪʃən/