'Sleeping partner' definitions:

Definition of 'sleeping partner'

noun

A partner (who usually provides capital) whose association with the enterprise is not public knowledge [syn: silent partner, sleeping partner]

From: GCIDE

Sleeping \Sleep"ing\, a. & n. from Sleep. [1913 Webster]
Sleeping car, a railway car or carrriage, arranged with apartments and berths for sleeping.
Sleeping partner (Com.), a dormant partner. See under Dormant.
Sleeping table (Mining), a stationary inclined platform on which pulverized ore is washed; a kind of buddle. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Dormancy \Dor"man*cy\, n. [From Dormant.] The state of being dormant; quiescence; abeyance. [1913 Webster]
It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . . very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
2. (Her.) In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant. [1913 Webster]
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 partner or {silent partner}.
Dormant window (Arch.), a dormer window. See Dormer.
Table dormant, a stationary table. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]