Dor"mant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of dormir to sleep, from L. dormire; cf. Gr. , Skr. dra, OSlav. drmati.]
1.
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.
It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . . very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people.
Burke.
2. Her.
In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant.
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 ∨ silent partner. -- Dormant window Arch., a dormer window. See Dormer. -- Table dormant, a stationary table. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.
Dor"mant (?), 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.
© Webster 1913.