Pronunciation: /ˈɛs-tɪ-vəl/ Part of speech: adjective Definition: Of, relating to, or characteristic of summer. Etymology: <cite index="6-1">*Estival* comes from Middle English, borrowed from Old French *estival*, which in turn derives from Latin *aestivalis*.</cite> <cite index="3-13">The Latin root traces back to *aestas*, meaning "summer," or more literally, "the hot season."</cite> <cite index="8-7,8-8">The word's earliest known use in English dates to the Middle English period, with the OED's first recorded evidence coming from around 1386.</cite> For more on the Latin root, see aestas. Synonyms: summery, solstitial, hibernal (antonym), vernal (antonym), torrid, sun-drenched In a sentence: The town square, draped in the lazy gold of a late afternoon, had that unmistakable estival_ stillness that makes even strangers slow their pace.