Still plotting how their hungry ear That winsome voice again might
hear.
Emerson.
Win"some*ness, n. The characteristic of being winsome; attractiveness
of manner. J. R. Green.
Win"ter (?), n. [AS. winter; akin to OFries. & D. winter, OS. & OHG.
wintar, G. winter, D. & Sw. vinter, Icel. vetr, Goth. wintrus; of
uncertain origin; cf. Old Gallic vindo- white (in comp.), OIr. find
white. &?;&?;&?;&?;.]
1. The season of the year in which the sun shines most obliquely upon
any region; the coldest season of the year. "Of thirty winter he was
old." Chaucer.
And after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful
nipping cold.
Shak.
Winter lingering chills the lap of May.
Goldsmith.
North of the equator, winter is popularly taken to include the months
of December, January, and February (see Season). Astronomically, it may
be considered to begin with the winter solstice, about December 21st,
and to end with the vernal equinox, about March 21st.