quiescence

/kwiˈɛsəns/

Other forms: quiescences

If there's a particular time of day when your ten kittens settle down to nap, you can call that their period of quiescence, or the time when they are all quiet and restful.

The noun quiescence looks similar to the word "quiet" for a good reason: quiescence is a quiet spell or state. It's used often to mean "dormancy," or the quieting of a symptom or a disease, such as the quiescence of a child's asthma symptoms during the winter months. The Latin root word is quies, which means "rest or quiet."

Definitions of quiescence

1. noun

   a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
   synonyms: dormancy, 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: dormancy, 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)