dorm

n. [ From Dormant. ] The state of being dormant; quiescence; abeyance. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Dormant. ] The state of being dormant; quiescence; abeyance. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . . very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Her.) In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 partner or silent partner. --
Dormant window (Arch.), a dormer window. See Dormer. --
Table dormant, a stationary table. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Dormant, a. ] (Arch.) 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.

or /mhw>, n. [ Literally, the window of a sleeping apartment. F. dormir to sleep. See Dormant, a. & n. ] (Arch.) A window pierced in a roof, and so set as to be vertical while the roof slopes away from it. Also, the gablet, or houselike structure, in which it is contained. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. dormitif, fr. dormire to sleep. ] Causing sleep; as, the dormitive properties of opium. Clarke. -- n. (Med.) A medicine to promote sleep; a soporific; an opiate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Dormitories [ L. dormitorium, fr. dormitorius of or for sleeping, fr. dormire to sleep. See Dormant. ] 1. A sleeping room, or a building containing a series of sleeping rooms; a sleeping apartment capable of containing many beds; esp., one connected with a college or boarding school. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A burial place. [ Obs. ] Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

My sister was interred in a very honorable manner in our dormitory, joining to the parish church. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Dormice [ Perh. fr. F. dormir to sleep (Prov. E. dorm to doze) + E. mouse; or perh. changed fr. F. dormeuse, fem., a sleeper, though not found in the sense of a dormouse. ] (Zool.) A small European rodent of the genus Myoxus, of several species. They live in trees and feed on nuts, acorns, etc.; -- so called because they are usually torpid in winter. [ 1913 Webster ]