Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Partner \Part"ner\, n. [For parcener, influenced by part.]
   1. One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker;
      an associate; a sharer. ``Partner of his fortune.''
      --Shak. Hence:
      (a) A husband or a wife.
      (b) Either one of a couple who dance together.
      (c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the
          management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.

                My other self, the partner of my life. --Milton.

   2. (Law) An associate in any business or occupation; a member
      of a partnership. See {Partnership}.

   3. pl. (Naut.) A framework of heavy timber surrounding an
      opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a
      mast, pump, capstan, or the like.

   {Dormant}, or {Silent}, {partner}. See under {Dormant}, a.

   Syn: Associate; colleague; coadjutor; confederate; partaker;
        participator; companion; comrade; mate.

Dormant \Dor"mant\, a. [F., p. pr. of dormir to sleep, from L.
   dormire; cf. Gr. ?, Skr. dr[=a], OSlav. dr?mati.]
   1. Sleeping; as, a dormant animal; hence, not in action or
      exercise; quiescent; at rest; in abeyance; not disclosed,
      asserted, or insisted on; as, dormant passions; dormant
      claims or titles.

            It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . .
            very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals
            upon a people.                        --Burke.

   2. (Her.) In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; --
      distinguished from {couchant}.

   {Dormant partner} (Com.), 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; -- called also {sleeping or silent partner}.

   {Dormant window} (Arch.), a dormer window. See {Dormer}.

   {Table dormant}, a stationary table. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Dormant \Dor"mant\, n. [See {Dormant}, a.] (Arch.)
   A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of
   the other timbers rest or `` sleep.'' --Arch. Pub. Soc. --
   Called also {dormant tree}, {dorman tree}, {dormond}, and
   {dormer}. --Halliwell.

Source : WordNet®

dormant
     adj 1: of e.g. volcanos; temporarily inactive; "a dormant volcano"
            [syn: {inactive}] [ant: {extinct}, {active}]
     2: lying with head on paws as if sleeping [syn: {dormant(ip)},
        {sleeping}]
     3: in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation;
        "dormant buds"; "a hibernating bear"; "torpid frogs" [syn:
         {hibernating(a)}, {torpid}]
     4: not active but capable of becoming active; "her feelings of
        affection are dormant but easily awakened"