season
season definition
sea·son (sē′zən)
noun
- any of the four arbitrary divisions of the year, characterized chiefly by differences in temperature, precipitation, amount of daylight, and plant growth; spring, summer, fall (or autumn), or winter
- a time or part of the year during which a specified kind of agricultural work is done or a specified kind of weather prevails the harvest season, the rainy season
- the time when something specified flourishes, develops, takes place, or is popular, permitted, or at its best the opera season, the hunting season
- a period of time a slack season in business
- the suitable, fitting, or convenient time
- the period of time during which a specified festival or holiday occurs the Christmas season
Etymology: < the v.
Obsolete something that seasons
Etymology: ME sesoun < OFr seson < VL satio, season for sowing < L, a sowing, planting < base of serere, to sow: see seed
transitive verb
- to make (food) more tasty by adding salt, spices, etc.
- to add zest or interest to to season a lecture with humor
- to make more suitable for use; improve the quality of, as by aging, drying, etc.; cure; mature to season lumber
- to give (an athlete, actor, etc.) experience to increase skill many tours seasoned him as an actor
- to make used to; accustom; inure; acclimate seasoned to a hard life
- to make less harsh or severe; temper; soften discipline seasoned with kindness
Etymology: ME sesonen, aphetic < MFr assaisonner, to season, orig., to ripen < a- (< L ad-), to + saison
intransitive verb
to become seasoned, as wood by drying
Related Forms:
- seasoner sea′·soner noun
season Idioms
for a season
for a while
in good season
early enough
in season
- available fresh for use as food: said of fruits, vegetables, seafood, etc.
- at the legally established time for being hunted or caught: said of game
- in or at the suitable or proper time
- in good season; early enough
- in heat: said of animals
out of season
not in season
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