dormancy

/ˈdɔrmənsi/

A period of inactivity, with no moving or growing, is dormancy. A bear is in a stage of dormancy when it hibernates: both its heart rate and body temperature become very low and it doesn't do much besides sleep.

You can describe any state of deep sleep or profound calm and quiet as dormancy, like your weekend of dormancy after an incredibly hectic week at school. It's mainly used in a more scientific way, though, to talk about the dormancy some animals go through in the winter in order to save valuable energy or the dormancy of certain plants during a dry season. Other things that are temporarily inactive, like volcanoes, also experience dormancy.

Definitions of dormancy

1. noun

   a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
   “the volcano erupted after centuries of dormancy”

   synonyms: quiescence, quiescency

   types:

   hibernation

   cessation from or slowing of activity during the winter; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals

   aestivation, estivation

   (zoology) cessation or slowing of activity during the summer; especially slowing of metabolism in some animals during a hot or dry period

   slumber

   a dormant or quiescent state

   type of:

   inaction, inactiveness, inactivity

   the state of being inactive
2. noun

   quiet and inactive restfulness
   synonyms: quiescence, quiescency, sleeping

   types:

   vegetation

   inactivity that is passive and monotonous, comparable to the inactivity of plant life

   type of:

   ease, relaxation, repose, rest

   freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)