diapause: Meaning and Definition of

di•a•pause

Pronunciation: (dī'u-pôz"), [key]
— n., v., -paused, -paus•ing.
—n.
  1. a period of hormonally controlled quiescence, esp. in immature insects, characterized by cessation of growth and reduction of metabolic activity, often occurring seasonally or when environmental conditions are unfavorable.
—v.i.
  1. to undergo diapause.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.