What does "dormant" mean?

The term "dormant" refers to a state of being inactive but still having the potential to become active in the future. This concept is often used in various contexts, such as biology, where a seed might lie dormant until conditions are right for it to sprout, or in geology, where a volcano may be dormant until it erupts again.

The notion of inactivity paired with the possibility of action is essential to understanding this word. While something that is dormant is not currently active, it retains the capacity to reactivate. This distinguishes it from a state of complete inactivity or lifelessness, which suggests no potential for future activity.