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summer

The season of the year in which the sun shines most directly upon any region; the warmest period of the year.

North of the equator summer is popularly taken to include the months of june, july, and august. Astronomically it may be considered, in the northern hemisphere, to begin with the summer solstice, about June 21st, and to end with the autumnal equinox, about september 22d. Indian summer, in North America, a period of warm weather late in autumn, usually characterised by a clear sky, and by a hazy or smoky appearance of the atmosphere, especially near the horizon. The name is derived probably from the custom of the Indians of using this time in preparation for winter by laying in stores of food. Saint Martin's summer. See Saint.

(Science: ornithology) Summer bird, the American gallinule.

(Science: botany) Summer cypress See yellowbird.

Origin: OE. Sumer, somer, AS. Sumor, sumer; akin to OFries. Sumur, D. Zomer, OS. Sumar, G. Sommer, OHG. & Icel. Sumar, Dan. Sommer, Sw. Sommar, W. Haf, Zend hama, Skr. Sama year. 292.