estivate

[es-tuh-veyt] /ˈɛs təˌveɪt/
verb (used without object), estivated, estivating.
1.
to spend the summer, as at a specific place or in a certain activity.
2.
Zoology. to spend a hot, dry season in an inactive, dormant state, as certain reptiles, snails, insects, and small mammals.
Compare hibernate.
Origin
1620-30; < Latin aestīvātus, past participle of aestīvāre to reside during the summer (akin to aestīvus of or relating to summer); see -ate1
Related forms
estivator, noun
Can be confused
estivate, hibernate.
Examples from the web for estivate
  • Their goal is to find root systems or small mammal burrows in which to estivate over the hot summer.
  • By mid to late summer, squirrels return to their burrows to estivate and eventually hibernate.
  • Since snails lose weight when they estivate in summer, some growers do not stock pens by weight but by count.
  • They estivate during the hot weather and hibernate during the cold weather.
British Dictionary definitions for estivate

aestivate

/ˈiːstɪˌveɪt; ˈɛs-/
verb (intransitive)
1.
to pass the summer
2.
(of animals such as the lungfish) to pass the summer or dry season in a dormant condition Compare hibernate
Derived Forms
aestivator, (US) estivator, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin aestīvātus, from aestīvāre to stay during the summer, from aestās summer

estivate

/ˈiːstɪˌveɪt; ˈɛs-/
verb
1.
(intransitive) the usual US spelling of aestivate
Derived Forms
estivator, noun
Word Origin and History for estivate
v.

"to spend the summer," mid-17c., from Latin aestivatus, past participle of aestivare "to spend the summer," from aestus "heat," aestas "summer," literally "the hot season," from Proto-Italic *aissat-, from PIE *aidh- "to burn" (see edifice). Related: Estivated; estivating.