vernal signs

1 definition found

vernal signs - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  vernal \ver"nal\ (v[~e]r"nal), a. [L. vernalis, fr. vernus
     vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. 'e`ar, Skr. vasanta, Icel.
     v[=a]r, and E. Easter, east.]
     1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring;
        as, vernal bloom.
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              And purple all the ground with vernal flowers.
                                                    --Milton.
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     2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life.
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              When after the long vernal day of life. --Thomson.
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              And seems it hard thy vernal years
              Few vernal joys can show?             --Keble.
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     Vernal equinox (Astron.), the point of time in each year
        when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding
        northward, about March 21, when day and night are of
        approximately equal duration. The beginning of the Spring
        season.
  
     Vernal grass (Bot.), a low, soft grass (Anthoxanthum  odoratum
        ), producing in the spring narrow spikelike
        panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it
        gives to new-mown hay; -- also called sweet vernal  grass
        . See Illust. in Appendix.
  
     Vernal signs (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and
        Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal
        equinox and summer solstice.
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