■ noun
1》 the coldest season of the year, after autumn and before spring.
↘ Astronomy the period from the ~ solstice to the vernal equinox.
2》 ( ~s ) literary years.
■ adjective
1》 (of fruit) ripening late in the year.
2》 (of crops) sown in autumn for harvesting the following year.
■ verb
1》 spend the ~ in a particular place.
2》 keep or feed (plants or cattle) during ~.
Derivatives
~er noun
~less adjective
~ly adjective
Origin
OE, of Gmc origin; prob. related to wet .