AEstivation

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  AEstivation \[AE]s`ti*va"tion\, n.
     1. (Zool.) The state of torpidity induced by the heat and
        dryness of summer, as in certain snails; -- opposed to
        {hibernation}.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. (Bot.) The arrangement of the petals in a flower bud, as
        to folding, overlapping, etc.; prefloration. --Gray.
        [1913 Webster] [Spelt also {estivation}.]
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  aestivation
       n 1: (zoology) cessation or slowing of activity during the
            summer; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals
            during a hot or dry period [syn: {estivation}]
       2: (botany) the arrangement of sepals and petals in a flower
          bud before it opens [syn: {estivation}]