Definition of "vegetate" []

• To grow or sprout as a plant does. (verb-intransitive)
• Pathology To grow in size or spread abnormally. (verb-intransitive)
• To exist in a state of physical or mental inactivity or insensibility. (verb-intransitive)
• Informal To engage in relaxing or passive activities, such as watching television. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "BULBS are to be gathered after the new bulb is perfected, and before it has begun to vegetate, which is at the time the leaves decay."
• "Are to be gathered after the new bulb is perfected, and before it has begun to vegetate, which is at the time the leaves decay."
• "He said he did not intend to "vegetate" after his retirement and had been approached to do consulting work in the fields of water affairs, telecommunications, mining, the liquid fuels industry and the public service."