overwinter

[ oh-ver-win-ter ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

to pass, spend, or survive the winter:
to overwinter on the Riviera.

overwinter

/ ˌəʊvəˈwɪntə /

verb

intr to spend winter (in or at a particular place)
tr to keep (animals or plants) alive through the winter
intr (of an animal or plant) to remain alive throughout the winter

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Word History and Origins

Origin of overwinter¹

First recorded in 1890–95; over- + winter, replacing Old English oferwintran “to get through the winter,” which had become obsolete by the end of the Old English period (around 1150), and modeled on Norwegian and Danish overvintre, Swedish övervintra, Dutch overwinteren, or German überwintern

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Example Sentences

Some whales may also overwinter in the northern summering areas.

From Project Gutenberg

Eggs laid in autumn overwinter and hatch the next summer, from April to August, depending upon the species.

From Project Gutenberg

overwind overwire

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