[win.ter] n [ME, fr. OE; akin to OHG wintar winter and perh. to Lith vanduo water, OE waeter--more at water] (bef. 12c) 1: the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usu. 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 ~s ago"
4: a period of inactivity or decay
[2]winter vb win.tered ; win.ter.ing vi (14c) 1: to pass the winter
2: to feed or find food during the winter--used with on ~ vt: to keep, feed, or manage during the winter [3]winter adj (15c) 1: of, relating to, or suitable for winter "a ~ vacation" "~ clothes"
2: sown in the autumn and harvested in the following spring or summer "~ wheat" "~ rye"--compare summer