autumnal

Mar. 13th, 2025 07:22 am
prettygoodword: text: words are sexy (Default)
[personal profile] prettygoodword
autumnal (aw-TUHM-nl) - adj., relating to, occurring in, or characteristic of autumn; past maturity or the middle of life.


One of my favorite details of Persuasion is how Austen frequently describes Anne Elliot with autumnal imagery until she finally reconnects with Wentworth. This word has been around for a while, since the 15th century, taken from Latin autumnālis, same meaning, adjectival form of autumnus, autumn, of unclear origin (there's two possible PIE roots, *h₃ewǵ-, cold and *h₂sews-, dry, plus Etruscan atune, autumn).

---L.

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