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Slumber vs Dormant - What's the difference?

slumber | dormant |

As a noun slumber

is a very light state of sleep, almost awake.

As a verb slumber

is to be in a very light state of sleep, almost awake.

As an adjective dormant is

inactive, sleeping, asleep, suspended.

slumber

Alternative forms

* (l) (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A very light state of sleep, almost awake.
  • He at last fell into a slumber , and thence into a fast sleep, which detained him in that place until it was almost night. — Bunyan.
    Fast asleep? It is no matter; / Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber . — Shakespeare.
    Rest to my soul, and slumber to my eyes. — Dryden.

    Derived terms

    * (l)

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To be in a very light state of sleep, almost awake.
  • * Bible, Psalms cxxi. 4
  • He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
  • To be inactive or negligent.
  • (obsolete) To lay to sleep.
  • (Wotton)
  • (obsolete) To stun; to stupefy.
  • (Spenser)

    See also

    * catnap * doze * nap * shuteye * slumber party

    Anagrams

    *

    dormant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * dormaunt (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Inactive, sleeping, asleep, suspended.
  • Grass goes dormant during the winter, waiting for spring before it grows again.
    The bank account was dormant ; there had been no transactions in months.
    This volcano is dormant but not extinct.
  • * Burke
  • It is by lying dormant a long time, or being very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people.
  • (heraldry) In a sleeping posture; distinguished from couchant.
  • a lion dormant

    Antonyms

    * active * active, extinct

    Anagrams

    * ----