WINTER, one of the four seasons or quarters of the year. See SEASON, &c.
Winter commences on the day when the sun's distance from the zenith of the place is greatest, and ends on the day
day when its distance is at a mean between the greatest and least.
Under the equator, the winter as well as other seasons returns twice every year; but all other places have only one winter in the year; which in the northern hemisphere begins when the sun is in the tropic of Capricorn, and in the southern hemisphere when in the tropic of Cancer; so that all places in the same hemisphere have their winter at the same time.