Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Vernal?

\Ver"nal\, a. [L. vernalis, fr. vernus vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. ?, Skr. vasanta, Icel. v[=a]r, and E. Easter, east.] 1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom. 2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life. When after the long vernal day of life. --Thomson. And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show? --Keble. {Vernal equinox} (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward. {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.