Autumn
the third season of the year-following the summer-the fall of the year. Astronomically, it extends from the autumnal equinox, September 22d, to the winter solstice, December 21st. In America, as popularly understood, it comprises September, October, and November. In Great Britain it is held to come and end a month earlier. The term, fall, is considered an Americanism. It has reference to the falling of leaves. In the northern hemisphere autumn is the season of harvest, of ingathering. The poet Spenser has described the season in joyous language:
Then came the Autumn all in yellow clad,
As though he joyed in his plenteous store,
Laden with fruits that made him laugh, full glad
That he had banished hunger...
Upon his head a wreath, that was enrolled
With ears of corn of every sort, he bore;
And in his hand a sickle he did hold,
To reap the ripening fruits the earth had yold.
As though he joyed in his plenteous store,
Laden with fruits that made him laugh, full glad
That he had banished hunger...
Upon his head a wreath, that was enrolled
With ears of corn of every sort, he bore;
And in his hand a sickle he did hold,
To reap the ripening fruits the earth had yold.
Volume I · Aiton’s Encyclopedia