summer

summer¹

—summerless, adj.

/sum"euhr/, n.

1. the season between spring and autumn, in the Northern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox, and in the Southern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.

2. the period comprising the months of June, July, and August in the U.S., and from the middle of May to the middle of August in Great Britain.

3. a period of hot, usually sunny weather: We had no real summer last year.

4. the hotter half of the year (opposed to winter): They spend the summers in New Hampshire and the winters in Florida.

5. the period of finest development, perfection, or beauty previous to any decline: the summer of life.

6. a whole year as represented by this season: a girl of fifteen summers.

adj.

7. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of summer: Iced tea is a summer drink.

8. appropriate for or done during the summer: summer clothes; summer sports.

9. having the weather or warmth of summer: summer days in late October.

v.i.

10. to spend or pass the summer: They summered in Maine.

v.t.

11. to keep, feed, or manage during the summer: Sheep are summered in high pastures.

12. to make summerlike.

[bef. 900; ME sumer, OE sumor; c. D zomer, G Sommer, ON sumar summer; akin to Skt sama half-year, year, OIr sam-, Welsh haf summer]

summer²

/sum"euhr/, n.

1. a principal beam or girder, as one running between girts to support joists.

2. a stone laid upon a pier, column, or wall, from which one or more arches spring: usually molded or otherwise treated like the arch or arches springing from it.

3. a beam or lintel.

[1275-1325; ME somer < AF; OF somier packhorse, beam < VL *saumarius, equiv. to L sagm(a) packsaddle ( < Gk ságma) + -arius -ARY; see -ER²]

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▪ season

      warmest season of the year, between spring and autumn. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is usually defined as the period between the summer solstice (year's longest day), June 21 or 22, and the autumnal equinox (day and night equal in length), September 22 or 23; and in the Southern Hemisphere, as the period between December 22 or 23 and March 20 or 21. The temperature contrast between summer and the other seasons exists only in middle and high latitudes; temperatures in the equatorial regions generally vary little from month to month. For physical causes of the seasons, see season.

      The concept of summer in European languages is associated with growth and maturity, especially that of cultivated plants, and indeed summer is the season of greatest plant growth in regions with sufficient summer rainfall. Festivals and rites have been used in many cultures to celebrate summer in recognition of its importance in food production.

      A period of exceptionally hot weather, often with high humidity, during the summer is called a heat wave. Such an occurrence in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in the latter part of summer is sometimes called the dog days.

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