winter

—winterer, n. —winterish, adj. —winterishly, adv. —winterless, adj.

/win"teuhr/, n.

1. the cold season between autumn and spring in northern latitudes (in the Northern Hemisphere from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox; in the Southern Hemisphere from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox).

2. the months of December, January, and February in the U.S., and of November, December, and January in Great Britain.

3. cold weather: a touch of winter in northern Florida.

4. the colder half of the year (opposed to summer).

5. a whole year as represented by this season: a man of sixty winters.

6. a period like winter, as the last or final period of life; a period of decline, decay, inertia, dreariness, or adversity.

adj.

7. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of winter: a winter sunset.

8. (of fruit and vegetables) of a kind that may be kept for use during the winter.

9. planted in the autumn to be harvested in the spring or early summer: winter rye.

v.i.

10. to spend or pass the winter: to winter in Italy.

11. to keep, feed, or manage during the winter, as plants or cattle: plants wintering indoors.

[bef. 900; (n.) ME, OE; c. G Winter, ON vetr, Goth wintrus; (v.) ME, deriv. of the n.; akin to WET, WATER]

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(as used in expressions)

Frederick the Winter King

nuclear winter

Winter War

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▪ season

      coldest season of the year, between autumn and spring; the name comes from an old Germanic word that means “time of water” and refers to the rain and snow of winter in middle and high latitudes. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is commonly regarded as extending from the winter solstice (year's shortest day), December 21 or 22, to the vernal equinox (day and night equal in length), March 20 or 21, and in the Southern Hemisphere, from June 21 or 22 to September 22 or 23. The low temperatures associated with winter occur only in middle and high latitudes; in equatorial regions, temperatures are almost uniformly high throughout the year. For physical causes of the seasons, see season.

      The concept of winter in European languages is associated with the season of dormancy, particularly in relation to crops; some plants die, leaving their seeds, and others merely cease growth until spring. Many animals also become dormant, especially those that hibernate; numerous insects die.

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