n. & v.
n. 1 the warmest season of the year, in the n. hemisphere from June to August and in the S. hemisphere from December to February. 2 Astron. the period from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox. 3 the hot weather typical of summer. 4 (often foll. by of) the mature stage of life; the height of achievement, powers, etc. 5 (esp. in pl.) poet. a year (esp. of a person's age) (a child of ten summers). 6 (attrib.) characteristic of or suitable for summer (summer clothes).
v. 1 intr. (usu. foll. by at, in) pass the summer. 2 tr. (often foll. by at, in) pasture (cattle). summer-house a light building in a garden etc. used for sitting in in fine weather. summer lightning sheet lightning without thunder, resulting from a distant storm. summer pudding Brit. a pudding of soft summer fruit encased in bread or sponge. summer school a course of lectures etc. held during the summer vacation, esp. at a university. summer solstice see SOLSTICE. summer time Brit. the period between March and October during which the clocks are advanced an hour (cf. SUMMERTIME). summer-weight (of clothes) suitable for use in summer, esp. because of their light weight. summerless adj. summerly adv. summery adj.
[ OE sumor ]