Dor"mant (?), a. [F., p. pr. of
dormir to sleep, from L. dormire; cf. Gr. ?, Skr.
drā, OSlav. dr?mati.] 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 or silent partner. --
Dormant window (Arch.), a dormer window.
See Dormer. -- Table dormant, a
stationary table. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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.