WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Dor"mant
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [F., p. pr. of dormir to sleep, from L. dormire; cf. Gr. dra, OSlav. dr.]
Definition : 1. Sleeping; as, a dormant animal; hence, not in action or exercise; quiescent; at rest; in abeyance; not disclosed, asserted, or insisted on; as, dormant passions; dormant claims or titles. It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . . very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people. Burke.

2. (Her.)

Defn: In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant. Dormant partner (Com.), a partner who takes no share in the active business of a company or partnership, but is entitled to a share of the profits, and subject to a share in losses; -- called also sleeping or silent partner. -- Dormant window (Arch.), a dormer window. See Dormer. -- Table dormant, a stationary table. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Dor"mant
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [See Dormant, a.] (Arch.)
Definition : Defn: A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of the other timbers rest or " sleep." Arch. Pub. Soc. -- Called also dormant tree, dorman tree, dormond, and dormer. Halliwell.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913