Bible dictionaries
Summer
What Bible dictionaries say about “Summer”, one article after the other.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary & Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
Summer - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)
SUM'MER, n. One who casts up an account.
SUM'MER, n. With us, the season of the year comprehended in the months June, July and August; during which time, the sun being north of the equator, shines more directly upon this part of the earth, which, together with the increased length of the days, renders this the hottest period of the year. In latitudes south of the equator, just the opposite takes place, or it is summer there when it is winter here.
The entire year is also sometimes divided into summer and winter, the former signifying the warmer and the latter the colder part of the year.
SUM'MER, v.i. To pass the summer or warm season.
The fowls shall summer upon them. Isa 18.
SUM'MER, v.t. To keep warm. [Little used.]
SUM'MER, n.
1. A large stone, the first that is laid over columns and pilasters, beginning to make a cross vault; or a stone laid over a column, and hollowed to receive the first haunce of a platband.
2. A large timber supported on two stone piers or posts, serving as a lintel to a door or window, _c.
3. A large timber or beam laid as a central floor timber, inserted into the girders, and receiving the ends of the joists and supporting them. This timber is seen in old buildings in America and in France. In America, it is wholly laid aside. It is called in England summer-tree.
Matthew George Easton, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (1828)
The article in Easton + Webster 1828International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE 1915)
sum'-er (qayits; Aramaic qayiT (Da 2:35), from quts quT, "to cut off," "to pluck or gather fruit," hence, the time of fruit, summer (2Sa 16:1,2; Jer 40:10,12); theros (Mt 24:32; Lu 21:30)): The Hebrew verb, mentioned above, occurs in Isa 18:6, "to summer," used of the ravenous birds feeding upon carcasses of the slain. The term "summer parlor" in Jud 3:20 (compare 3:24) is literally, "upper room," and is so rendered in the Revised Version (British and American). The summer was the dry season extending from April to October when usually no rain falls. Hence, the "drought of summer" (Ps 32:4).
See SEASONS.
H. Porter
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia — James Orr, general editor and contributors; CrossWire SWORD module ISBE 2.2
The article in ISBE 1915