quiescent

/kwaɪˈɛsənt/

Other forms: quiescently

The adjective quiescent means "being quiet and still," like the quiescent moments lying in a hammock on a beautiful summer Sunday.

To be quiescent, pronounced "qwhy-ESS-ent," is to be quiet, resting, which is exactly what its Latin origin quiescens means: In our busy world, it is hard to find a place to be quiescent. It has a second meaning: "causing no symptoms." For example, if a disease is quiescent, you probably won't know you have it. And finally, quiescent can mean "not activated," like quiescent cleaning products that don't get the stains out.

Definitions of quiescent

1. adjective

   being quiet or still or inactive
   synonyms:

   dormant, inactive

   (of e.g. volcanos) not erupting but not extinct
2. adjective

   marked by a state of tranquil repose
   “the quiescent melancholy of the town”

   synonyms:

   quiet

   characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
3. adjective

   not active or activated
   “the quiescent level of centimeter wave-length solar radiation”

   synonyms:

   inactive

   not exerting influence or change
4. adjective

   (pathology) causing no symptoms
   “a quiescent tumor”

   synonyms:

   inactive

   (pathology) not progressing or increasing; or progressing slowly