midsummer
The period around the summer solstice; around June 21st in the northern hemisphere.
Adjective
- Of or occurring in the middle of summer.
Origin
From Middle English midsomer, midsumer, from Old English midsumer, midsumor (“midsummer”), from Proto-West Germanic *midisumar, from Proto-Germanic *midjasumaraz (“midsummer”), equivalent to mid- + summer. Cognate with West Frisian midsimmer (“midsummer”), Dutch midzomer (“midsummer”), German Mittsommer (“midsummer”), Danish midsommer (“midsummer”), Swedish midsommar (“midsummer”), Icelandic miðsumar (“midsummer”).
Forms
Derived
Central European Midsummer Time Midsummer ale midsummer chafer midsummer daisy Midsummer Day Midsummer's Day Midsummer Eve midsummer eve midsummer even Midsummer's Eve midsummer games midsummer growth midsummerish midsummer madness midsummer men midsummer-men midsummer moon Midsummer Night midsummer night's dream midsummer sights midsummer silver midsummery
Noun
- The period around the summer solstice; around June 21st in the northern hemisphere.
- The first day of summer.
- The middle of summer.
- Midsummer Day, the English quarter day.
- A pagan holiday or Wiccan Sabbat.