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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

sea·son       (sē'zən)  Pronunciation Key  n.   One of the four natural divisions of the year, spring, summer, fall, and winter, in the North and South Temperate zones. Each season, beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, is characterized by specific meteorological or climatic conditions. The two divisions of the year, rainy and dry, in some tropical regions. A recurrent period characterized by certain occurrences, occupations, festivities, or crops: the holiday season; tomato season. A suitable, natural, or convenient time: a season for merriment. A period of time: gone for a season. v.   sea·soned, sea·son·ing, sea·sons v.   tr. To improve or enhance the flavor of (food) by adding salt, spices, herbs, or other flavorings. To add zest, piquancy, or interest to: seasoned the lecture with jokes. To treat or dry (lumber, for example) until ready for use; cure. To render competent through trial and experience: a lawyer who had been seasoned by years in the trial courts. To accustom or inure; harden: troops who had been seasoned in combat. See Synonyms at harden. To moderate; temper. v.   intr. To become usable, competent, or tempered. [Middle English, from Old French seison, from Latin satiō, satiōn-, act of sowing, from satus, past participle of serere, to plant; see sē- in Indo-European roots.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
season  (n.)

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
season  (v.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

season
noun
1.	a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field; "he celebrated his 10th season with the ballet company"; "she always looked forward to the avocado season"
2.	one of the natural periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and solstices or atmospheric conditions; "the regular sequence of the seasons"
3.	a recurrent time marked by major holidays; "it was the Christmas season"
verb
1.	lend flavor to; "Season the chicken breast after roasting it"
2.	make fit; "This trip will season even the hardiest traveller"
3.	make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate; "she tempered her criticism" [syn: temper]

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

season

see in season; open season.

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

season       (sē'zən)  Pronunciation Key  One of four natural divisions of the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—in temperate zones. Each season has its own characteristic weather and lasts approximately three months. The change in the seasons is brought about by the shift in the angle at which the Sun's rays strike the Earth. This angle changes as the Earth orbits in its yearly cycle around the Sun due to the tilt of the Earth's axis. For example, when the northern or southern hemisphere of the Earth is at an angle predominantly facing the Sun and has more daylight hours of direct, overhead sunlight than nighttime hours, it is in its summer season; the opposite hemisphere is in then opposite condition and is in its winter season. See also equinox, solstice. In some tropical climates, either of the two divisions—rainy and dry—into which the year is divided. These divisions are defined on the basis of levels of precipitation.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Season

Sea"son\, n. [OE. sesoun, F. saison, properly, the sowing time, fr. L. satio a sowing, a planting, fr. serere, satum, to sow, plant; akin to E. sow, v., to scatter, as seed.]

1. One of the divisions of the year, marked by alternations in the length of day and night, or by distinct conditions of temperature, moisture, etc., caused mainly by the relative position of the earth with respect to the sun. In the north temperate zone, four seasons, namely, spring, summer, autumn, and winter, are generally recognized. Some parts of the world have three seasons, -- the dry, the rainy, and the cold; other parts have but two, -- the dry and the rainy.

The several seasons of the year in their beauty. --Addison.

2. Hence, a period of time, especially as regards its fitness for anything contemplated or done; a suitable or convenient time; proper conjuncture; as, the season for planting; the season for rest.

The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs. --Milton.

3. A period of time not very long; a while; a time.

Thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. --Acts xiii. 11.

4. That which gives relish; seasoning. [Obs.]

You lack the season of all natures, sleep. --Shak.

In season, in good time, or sufficiently early for the purpose.

Out of season, beyond or out of the proper time of the usual or appointed time.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Season

Sea"son\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Seasoned; p. pr. & vb. n. Seasoning.]

1. To render suitable or appropriate; to prepare; to fit.

He is fit and seasoned for his passage. --Shak.

2. To fit for any use by time or habit; to habituate; to accustom; to inure; to ripen; to mature; as, to season one to a climate.

3. Hence, to prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices; as, to season timber.

4. To fit for taste; to render palatable; to give zest or relish to; to spice; as, to season food.

5. Hence, to fit for enjoyment; to render agrecable.

You season still with sports your serious hours. --Dryden.

The proper use of wit is to season conversation. --Tillotson.

6. To qualify by admixture; to moderate; to temper. "When mercy seasons justice." --Shak.

7. To imbue; to tinge or taint. "Who by his tutor being seasoned with the love of the truth." --Fuller.

Season their younger years with prudent and pious principles. --Jer. Taylor.

8. To copulate with; to impregnate. [R.] --Holland.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Season

Sea"son\, v. i. 1. To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate.

2. To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance; as, timber seasons in the sun.

3. To give token; to savor. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.