Autumn
/ˈɔː.təm/noun
The season between summer and winter, characterized by the shedding of leaves from deciduous trees.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, 'autumnus' was celebrated with festivals to honor the harvest and the death of the old year, invoking spirits for a bountiful future.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁eǵʰ-
“to gather, to harvest.”
Latin
Latin
autumnus
“the season of harvest.”
Old French
Old French
autompne
“the season of harvest, fall.”
Middle English
Middle English
autumpne
“the time of harvest.”
Modern English
English
autumn
“the season between summer and winter, marked by falling leaves.”