Overwinter
(verb)
To survive the winter season, often used for plants and animals that need to survive the harsh conditions.
Origin:
Formed from the prefix "over-" meaning "excess" or "beyond" and the root word "winter" meaning "the coldest season of the year", the word "overwinter" came into use in the 17th century.
Examples:
- Many species of birds overwinter in warmer climates to avoid the cold.
- The farmer covered the crops to overwinter them.
- The insects overwintered underground to avoid the cold.
- The trees were able to overwinter despite the harsh conditions.
- Plants that overwinter will typically go dormant during the winter months.