Definition of dormant

• a. - 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.
• a. - In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant.
• a. - A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of the other timbers rest or " sleep."