Em"ber, a. [OE. ymber, AS.
ymbren, ymbryne, prop., running around, circuit;
ymbe around + ryne a running, fr. rinnan to run.
See Amb-, and Run.] Making a circuit of the year
of the seasons; recurring in each quarter of the year; as,
ember fasts.
Ember days (R. C. & Eng. Ch.), days
set apart for fasting and prayer in each of the four seasons of the
year. The Council of Placentia [a. d. 1095] appointed for
ember days the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the first
Sunday in Lent, Whitsuntide, the 14th of September, and the 13th of
December. The weeks in which these days fall are called ember
weeks.
Em"ber (?), n. [OE. emmeres,
emeres, AS. ?myrie; akin to Icel. eimyrja,
Dan. emmer, MHG. eimere; cf. Icel. eimr vapor,
smoke.] A lighted coal, smoldering amid ashes; -- used chiefly
in the plural, to signify mingled coals and ashes; the smoldering
remains of a fire. "He rakes hot embers."
Dryden.
He takes a lighted ember out of the covered
vessel.
Colebrooke.