Winter

(win'tur.) [A. S.] One of the four seasons of the year; commencing on the day when the sun's distance from the zenith of the place is the greatest, and ending on that when it is at a mean between the greatest and the least. The sun is nearer to the earth in winter than in summer; the coldne of winter is therefore owing to the shortne of the days or time during which the sun is above the horizon; and the oblique direction in which his rays fall upon our part of the globe at that season. [s. 965]