diapause

(dī'ə-pôz')
n. Zoology
A period during which growth or development is suspended and physiological activity is diminished, as in certain insects in response to adverse environmental conditions.

[Greek diapausis, pause, from diapauein, to pause : dia-, between; see dia- + pauein, to stop.]

(dī'ə-pôz')
n.

A period during which growth or development is suspended and physiological activity is diminished, as in certain insects in response to adverse environmental conditions.

A state of inactivity and arrested development accompanied by greatly reduced metabolism, as in many eggs, insect pupae and plant seeds. It is a mechanism for surviving adverse weather conditions.