vēr, vēris (abl. veri, Col. 10, 129), n. [Gr. ἔαρ, ἦρ, i. e. ϝηρ], the spring.
I Lit., Varr. L. L. 6, § 9 Müll.; id. R. R. 1, 28, 1; Plaut. Truc. 2, 4, 2; Lucr. 5, 737; Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 10, § 27; id. Lael. 19, 70: vere novo, Verg. G. 1, 43; Hor. C. 1, 4, 1; 4, 7, 9; 4, 12, 1: primo vere, at the beginning of spring , Cato R. R. 50; Hor. C. 3, 7, 2.—Prov.: vere prius flores, aestu numerabis aristas, Ov. Tr. 4, 1, 57.—
II Transf., the productions of spring : cum breve Cecropiae ver populantur apes, Mart. 9, 14, 2.—So esp. freq., ver sacrum, a special offering presented from the firstlings of spring , which it was customary to vow in critical circumstances: ver sacrum vovendi mos fuit Italis. Magnis enim periculis adducti vovebant, quaecumque proximo vere nata essent apud se animalia immolaturos, etc., Fest. p. 379 Müll.; cf. id. s. v. Mamertini, p. 158; id. s. v Sacrani, p. 321; Sisenn. ap. Non. 522, 17: ver sacrum vovendum, si bellatum prospere esset, etc., Liv. 22, 9, 10; cf. the votive formula, id. 22, 10, 2; so id. 33, 44, 1; 34, 44, 1 sqq. Weissenb. ad loc.; Just. 24, 4, 1.—
II Trop., the spring-time of life , youth (poet.): jucundum cum aetas florida ver ageret, Cat. 68, 16; Ov. M. 10, 85.