Main Entry: ¹win·ter

Pronunciation: \ˈwin-tər\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German wintar winter and perhaps to Lithuanian vanduo water, Old English wæter — more at water

Date: before 12th century

1 : the season between autumn and spring comprising in the northern hemisphere usually 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 winters ago>
4 : a period of inactivity or decay