Chain polymerization, propagated by chain carriers that are deactivated reversibly, bringing them into active-dormant equilibria of which there might be more than one.
Example: Group-transfer polymerization.
See also: reversible-deactivation coordination polymerization, reversible-deactivation cationic polymerization, reversible-deactivation anionic polymerization, reversible-deactivation radical polymerization
Source:
PAC, 2022, 94, 1093. 'Terminology for chain polymerization (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 1101 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2020-1211)