win·ter 
(wĭntər)
(wĭntər)n.
1.
a. In the Northern Hemisphere, usually the coldest season of the year, occurring between autumn and spring and including the months of December, January, and February. In the Southern Hemisphere austral winter includes June, July, and August.
b. The season extending from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox.
2. A year as expressed through the recurrence of the winter season.
3. A period of time characterized by coldness, misery, barrenness, or death.
adj.
1. Relating to or occurring in winter: winter blizzards; winter attire.
2. Grown during the season of winter: winter herbs.
v. win·tered, win·ter·ing, win·ters
v.intr.
1. To spend the winter: wintered in Arizona.
2. To feed in winter. Used with on: deer wintering on cedar bark.
v.tr.
To lodge, keep, or care for during the winter: wintering the sheep in the stable.
[Middle English, from Old English; see wed-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
winter·ish adj.