Relating to, occurring in, or suggestive of autumn; having qualities like those of fall such as decline, maturity, or gradual change.
From autumn (from Latin autumnus, of uncertain origin, possibly from Etruscan) + -al (suffix forming adjectives). Latin term adopted into English by the 14th century.
Poets use 'autumnal' to describe not just seasons but stages of life—it evokes both beauty and loss, which is why the word feels more emotionally complex than 'spring' or 'summer.'
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