Au"tumn (&?;), n. [L. auctumnus,
autumnus, perh. fr. a root av to satisfy one's self: cf. F.
automne. See Avarice.] 1. 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.
&fist; In England, according to Johnson, autumn popularly
comprises August, September, and October. In the southern hemisphere, the
autumn corresponds to our spring.
2. The harvest or fruits of autumn.
Milton.
3. The time of maturity or decline; latter portion;
third stage.
Dr. Preston was now entering into the autumn of the
duke's favor.
Fuller.
Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge.
Wordsworth.
