I. ˈwin-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wintar winter and perhaps to Lithuanian vanduo water, Old English wæter — more at water
Date: before 12th century
1. : the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually the months of December, January, and February or as reckoned astronomically extending from the December solstice to the March equinox
2. : the colder half of the year
3. : year
happened many winter s ago
4. : a period of inactivity or decay
II. verb
( win·tered ; win·ter·ing ˈwin-t(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to pass the winter
winter s in the Caribbean
2. : to feed or find food during the winter — used with on
transitive verb
: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter
III. adjective
Date: 14th century
1. : of, relating to, or suitable for winter
a winter vacation
winter clothes
2. : sown in the autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer
winter wheat
winter rye
— compare summer