Word Study
autumn
CIDE DICTIONARY
autumn, n. [L. auctumnus, autumnus, perh. fr. a root av to satisfy one's self: cf. F. automne. See Avarice.].
- The third season of the year, or the season between summer and winter, often called “the
fall .” Astronomically, it begins in the northern temperate zone at the autumnal equinox, about September 23, and ends at the winter solstice, about December 23; but in popular language, autumn, in America, comprises September, October, and November. [1913 Webster]" In England, according to Johnson, autumn popularly comprises August, September, and October. In the southern hemisphere, the autumn corresponds to our spring." [1913 Webster] - The harvest or fruits of autumn. Milton. [1913 Webster]
- The time of maturity or decline; latter portion; third stage. [1913 Webster]"Dr. Preston was now entering into the autumn of the duke's favor." [1913 Webster]"Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
autumn, n.
1 the third season of the year, when crops and fruits are gathered, and leaves fall, in the N. hemisphere from September to November and in the S. hemisphere from March to May.
2 Astron. the period from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice.
3 a time of maturity or incipient decay.
1 the third season of the year, when crops and fruits are gathered, and leaves fall, in the N. hemisphere from September to November and in the S. hemisphere from March to May.
2 Astron. the period from the autumnal equinox to the winter solstice.
3 a time of maturity or incipient decay.
Idiom
autumn crocus any plant of the genus Colchicum, esp. meadow saffron, of the lily family and unrelated to the true crocus.
Etymology
ME f. OF autompne f. L autumnus
THESAURUS
autumn
aestival, arctic, autumnal, boreal, brumal, canicular, equinoctial, fall, harvest, harvest home, harvest time, hibernal, hiemal, midsummer, midwinter, out of season, seasonal, solstitial, spring, springlike, summer, summerlike, summerly, summery, vernal, winter, winterlike, wintery, wintryROGET THESAURUS
autumn
Evening
N evening, eve, decline of day, fall of day, close of day, candlelight, candlelighting, eventide, nightfall, curfew, dusk, twilight, eleventh hour, sunset, sundown, going down of the sun, cock-shut, dewy eve, gloaming, bedtime, afternoon, postmeridian, p, m, autumn, fall, fall of the leaf, autumnal equinox, Indian summer, St. Luke's summer, St. Martin's summer, midnight, dead of night, witching hour, witching hour of night, witching time of night, winter, killing time, vespertine, autumnal, nocturnal, midnight, the outpost of advancing day, sable-vested Night, this gorgeous arch with golden worlds inlay'd.For further exploring for "autumn" in Webster Dictionary Online