Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DOR'MANT, a. [Fr. from dormir, L. dormio, to sleep.]

1. Sleeping: hence, at rest; not in action; as, dormant passions.
2. Being in a sleeping posture; as the lion dormant, in heraldry.
3. Neglected; not used; as, a dormant title; dormant privileges.
4. Concealed; not divulged; private. [Unusual.] – Bacon.
5. Leaning; inclining; not perpendicular; as, a dormant window, supposed to be so called from a beam of that name. This is now written dormer or dormar. Dormant partner, in commerce and manufactories, 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. He is called also sleeping partner.