hibernate etymology

Etymology

The word "hibernate" is derived from the Latin verb "hibernare," meaning "to spend the winter." It is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*k̂heim-," which means "winter."

Meaning

Hibernate refers to the state of dormancy that certain animals, especially mammals and reptiles, enter during the winter months. During hibernation, an animal's body temperature and metabolic rate decrease significantly, and it enters a prolonged state of sleep.

Origin

The concept of hibernation has been known for centuries. The earliest recorded observations of hibernation date back to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, who described the phenomenon in his book "History of Animals." The term "hibernate" itself was first used in English in the 16th century.

hibernate relate terms

• hibernation

  Etymology Late Latin hibernus meaning of winter From Latin hiems gen hiemis mean

• chimera

  Etymology Ancient Greek χίμαιρα chímaira from χίμαρος chímaros m

• chiono

  Etymology The word chiono is derived from the Greek word khiōn χιών which mea

• hiemal

  Etymology hiemal Origin Latin Meaning of or relating to winter Derivation from Lati

• hibernacle

  Etymology The word hibernacle comes from the Latin word hibernare meaning to spend

• hibernal

  Etymology The word hibernal comes from the Latin word hibernus which means of or pe

• hibernate

  Etymology The word hibernate is derived from the Latin verb hibernare meaning to sp

• hibernation

  Etymology Late Latin hibernus meaning of winter From Latin hiems gen hiemis mean

• Himalaya

  Etymology The word Himalaya is derived from the Sanskrit words hima ह म mea

• shack

  Etymology The word shack is derived from the Dutch word schak meaning shed or lea

• sleep

  Etymology Sleep comes from the Middle English word slēpen which is derived from the

• rest

  Etymology The word rest originates from the Old English word restan which means to

• slumber

  Etymology Middle English slumberen from Old English slumerian Germanic root slum

• kismet

  Etymology The word kismet comes from the Arabic word qismat meaning lot or portio

• spare

  Etymology The word spare has its origins in the Old English word sparian which means

• battery

  Etymology Battery comes from the Late Latin word batteria meaning a beating Meani

• latitude

  Etymology The word latitude comes from the Middle French latitude which in turn der

• poindexter

  Etymology The term Poindexter originated as a fictional character in the 1950s comic s

• intelligence

  Etymology Latin intelligentia understanding knowledge wisdom From inter among