Winter | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Win'ter, n.

noun

n. [A-S., O. Fries., D., & N. H. Ger. winter, O. Sax. & O. H. Ger. winter, M. H. Ger. wintar, Dan. & Sw. vinter, Icel. vetr, Goth. vintrus, probably allied to wind, because it is the windy season of the year.]

Sense 1. The cold season of the year; in common usage, in the northern hemisphere, the period from the first day of December to the first day of March; in astronomical usage, the period from the solstice in December (about the twenty-first day) to the vernal equinox in March (about the twenty-first day).

And after summer evermore succeeds The barren winter, with his nipping cold. Shak.

Winter, lingering, chills the lap of May. Goldsmith.

Sense 2. A year. “A withered hermit, fivescore winters worn.” Shak.

Winter solstice. See SOLSTICE.

Win’ter, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. [imp. & p. p. WINTERED; p. pr. & vb. n. WINTERING.] To pass the winter.

They often wintered in England. Swift.

Because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence. Acts xxvii. 12.

Wĭn'ter, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To keep, feed, or manage, during the winter; as, to winter young cattle on straw.