a. [ad. L. autumnālis, f. autumnus AUTUMN: cf. F. automnal, 16th c.]
1. Of, belonging or peculiar to, autumn.
Autumnal equinox: the time when the sun crosses the equator as it proceeds southward. Autumnal point: the point at which the celestial equator is intersected by the ecliptic as the sun proceeds southward; the first point in Libra. Autumnal signs: the signs Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius. Autumnal star (Gr. ἀστὴρ ὀπωρινός): Sirius.
1636. Healey, Theophrast., To Reader. Posidion was the last Autumnall Moneth in the Attick yeere.
1678. Hobbes, Nat. Phil., Wks. 1845, VII. 101. From the autumnal equinox to the vernal, there be one hundred and seventy-eight days.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 302. Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strew the Brooks In Vallombrosa.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, V. 7. Bright and steady as the star Autumnal.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 427. The autumnal rains of Ireland are usually heavy.
2. Maturing or blooming in autumn.
1574. T. Newton, Health Mag., 52. Quinces among Autumnal fruictes are reckened … bindinge.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Flower, Let him also plant … autumnal Crocus and Colchicums.
1861. Miss Pratt, Flower. Pl., V. 273. Autumnal Squill … is a somewhat rare plant.
3. fig. Past the prime (of life).
1656. Artif. Beauty, 59. When her own [haire], now more withered and autumnall, seemed less becoming her.
1728. Young, Love Fame, V. (1757), 137. Autumnal Lyce carries in her face Memento mori.
1838. Dickens, Old C. Shop, 38. Miss Melissa might have seen five and thirty summers or thereabouts, and verged on the autumnal.
