Jun 04, 2010 05:30
Quiescent [qwiː-ɛs-ənt, qwaɪ-ɛs-ənt]
adjective
Definition
1. something that is quiet, inactive, dormant, motionless
2. medical: a disease showing no symptoms
3. grammar: a letter, usually a consonant, that is not sounded
4. electronics: the absence of an input to a device that is ready to receive one
Etymology
From the Latin quiescens, the present participle of quiescere, 'to become quiet' or 'to rest', from the base quies, 'rest', 'sleep', 'tranquility'
Usage
1. Toddlers are rarely quiescent, that is why some prefer cats to children.
2. My ulcer has been quiescent recently, perhaps because I am under less stress.
3. The 'k' in 'knife' is a quiescent letter.
4. My iPod is unfortunately quiescent as my computer refuses to sync with it.
A usage for every definition, wee!
latin,
adjective,
q,
wordsmith: sakai_yukari