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The Collaborative International Dictionary
sweet vernal grass

Vernal \Ver"nal\, a. [L. vernalis, fr. vernus vernal, ver spring; akin to Gr. ?, Skr. vasanta, Icel. v[=a]r, and E. Easter, east.]

  1. Of or pertaining to the spring; appearing in the spring; as, vernal bloom.

  2. Fig.: Belonging to youth, the spring of life.

    When after the long vernal day of life.
    --Thomson.

    And seems it hard thy vernal years Few vernal joys can show?
    --Keble.

    Vernal equinox (Astron.), the time when the sun crosses the equator when proceeding northward.

    Vernal grass (Bot.), a low, soft grass ( Anthoxanthum odoratum), producing in the spring narrow spikelike panicles, and noted for the delicious fragrance which it gives to new-mown hay; -- also called sweet vernal grass. See Illust. in Appendix.

    Vernal signs (Astron.), the signs, Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, in which the sun appears between the vernal equinox and summer solstice.