noun

1. 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
2. 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
3. the time when something specified flourishes, develops, takes place, or is popular, permitted, or at its best the opera season, the hunting season
4. a period of time a slack season in business
5. the suitable, fitting, or convenient time
6. the period of time during which a specified festival or holiday occurs the Christmas season

7. 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

1. to make (food) more tasty by adding salt, spices, etc.
2. to add zest or interest to to season a lecture with humor
3. 1. to make more suitable for use; improve the quality of, as by aging, drying, etc.; cure; mature to season lumber
   2. to give (an athlete, actor, etc.) experience to increase skill many tours seasoned him as an actor
4. to make used to; accustom; inure; acclimate seasoned to a hard life
5. 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