summer (n.1)
"hot season of the year," Middle English somer, from Old English sumor "summer," from Proto-Germanic *sumra- (source also of Old Saxon, Old Norse, Old High German sumar, Old Frisian sumur, Middle Dutch somer, Dutch zomer, German Sommer). This is from PIE root *sm- "summer" (source also of Sanskrit sama "season, half-year," Avestan hama "in summer," Armenian amarn "summer," Old Irish sam, Old Welsh ham, Welsh haf "summer").
The meaning "age in years" (counted by summers) is by c. 1300. As an adjective from c. 1300, "of or pertaining to summer." Figuratively, "lasting only as long as pleasure or prosperity does," by 1590s.
Summer resort is attested from 1823; summer- as a general modifier in reference to people who visit a place only during the summer is by 1886. The theatrical summer stock is attested from 1941 (see stock (n.2)), originally especially of companies organized for summer resorts.
Summer camp as an institution for youth is attested from 1886; summer school first recorded 1810; theatrical The U.S. Southern summer kitchen, away from the house, is so called by 1874.
A summer's day as "a very long day" is by c. 1300. Old Norse sumarsdag, first day of summer, was the Thursday that fell between April 9 and 15.
summer (n.2)
"horizontal bearing-beam," late 13c., somer, from Anglo-French sumer, Old French somier "main beam," originally "pack horse," from Vulgar Latin *saumarius, from Late Latin sagmarius "pack horse," from sagma "packsaddle" (see sumpter). Also in Middle English "pack horse" (c. 1300).
Trends of summer
updated on October 09, 2023
Dictionary entries near summer
summarize
summary
summate
summation
summative
summer
summerize
summerlong
summertime
summery
summit