lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive, as in sleep; torpid

The lecturer's sudden shout woke the dormant audience.

in a state of rest or inactivity; inoperative; in abeyance

The project is dormant for the time being.

Biology . in a state of minimal metabolic activity with cessation of growth, either as a reaction to adverse conditions or as part of an organism's normal annual rhythm.

undisclosed; unasserted

dormant musical talent.

(of a volcano) not erupting.

Botany . temporarily inactive

dormant buds; dormant seeds.

(of a pesticide) applied to a plant during a period of dormancy

a dormant spray.

Heraldry . (of an animal) represented as lying with its head on its forepaws, as if asleep.

adjective

active , lively

adjective

abeyant , asleep , closed down , comatose , down , fallow , hibernating , inert , inoperative , latent , lethargic , lurking , on the shelf , out of action , passive , potential , prepatent , quiescent , sidelined , slack , sluggish , slumbering , smoldering , suspended , torpid , inactive , sleeping , cryptic , idle , motionless , quiet , resting , sleepy , stationary , unaroused