a condition in the life of an organism or its parts (sometimes termed the resting stage) when a tissue predisposed to proliferate does not do so and visible growth and development are temporarily suspended —note 1. in plants the suspension of growth may be imposed dormancy brought about by unfavorable external environmental conditions, e.g., drought or cold, or physiological dormancy due to unfavorable internal physiological conditions which may develop (a) within the plant but outside the dormant organ (correlated inhibition) or (b) within the organ itself (rest, winter dormancy) —note 2. dormancy may range from shallow, i.e., readily broken and generally brief to deep and generally prolonged —note 3. in dormant seeds or spores, germination may be delayed until they become mature and viable and external conditions are favorable; in dormant plants, the buds or cambium may be incapable of developing despite a favorable environment —see afterripening, diapause, estivate, hibernation, secondary dormancy, viabilityThis definition last updated 10/25/2008