quiescent

Quiescent is an adjective used across disciplines to denote a state of quietness, rest, or low activity with potential to resume activity. It derives from Latin quietus, meaning at rest.

In biology, quiescent cells are in the G0 phase of the cell cycle; they are viable but not actively dividing, as seen in many adult tissues and stem cells. Quiescent cells can re-enter the cell cycle in response to appropriate signals, distinguishing them from permanently differentiated or senescent cells. The term also appears in medicine and virology to describe infections or diseases that are present but dormant or asymptomatic, or symptoms absent for a period.

In botany, seed quiescence describes a state in which viable seeds do not germinate despite favorable conditions, often in response to moisture or temperature; this differs from dormancy, which involves endogenous inhibition of germination.

In astronomy, a quiescent galaxy exhibits little or no ongoing star formation and has an old stellar population, contrasted with star-forming galaxies. In high-energy astronomy and accretion theory, a quiescent state denotes a period of very low accretion or emission from a compact object, such as a black hole or neutron star, between more active phases.

In electronics and technology, quiescent current (Iq) is the baseline current drawn by a circuit or device when it is on but not actively switching; minimizing quiescent current is important for low-power design.

Overall, quiescence implies potential for future activity rather than absolute inactivity, and the exact implications vary by field.