Literally, sleeping; hence inactive; in abeyance; unknown; concealed. Dormant claim. One which is in abeyance. Dormant execution. One which a creditor delivers to the sheriff with directions to levy only, and not to sell until further orders, or until a junior execution is received. Dormant judgment. One which has not been satisfied, nor extinguished by lapse of time, but which has remained so long unexecuted that execution cannot now be issued upon it without first reviving the judgment or one which has lost its lien on land from the failure to issue execution on it or take other steps to enforce it within the time limited by statute. 1 Black, Judgm. (2d Ed) s 462; Draper v. Nixon, 93 Ala. 436, 8 South. Dormant partner. See PARTNERS.
Dormiunt aliquando leges, nunquam moriuntur. 2 Inst 161. The laws sometimes sleep, never die.