spring-summer
Meaning
Relating to or characteristic of the spring and summer seasons combined.
The period comprising the spring and summer seasons.
Structure
Usage
The designers unveiled their vibrant spring-summer collection.
Tourism peaks during the spring-summer period in this region.
We enjoy long, pleasant days in the spring-summer months.
Etymology
The compound "spring-summer" is a modern English formation, created by combining the names of two consecutive seasons. "Spring" originates from the Old English verb springan, meaning "to leap, burst forth, or rise," which perfectly captures the season's essence of plants sprouting and streams flowing. "Summer" comes from the Old English sumor, a term of Proto-Germanic origin for the warm season. The compound logic is straightforward and descriptive, joining two temporal concepts to denote a combined period or a characteristic spanning both, reflecting a practical need in contexts like fashion ("spring-summer collection"), agriculture, or climate description.
Analysis
spring: From Old English springan (to leap, burst forth). In this compound, it refers to the season of new growth and renewal. summer: From Old English sumor. Refers to the warmest season of the year.