[sea.son] n [ME, fr. MF saison, fr. OF, fr. L sation-, satio action of sowing, fr. serere to sow--more at sow] (14c) 1 a: a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature "in a ~ of religious awakening --F. A. Christie" b: a suitable or natural time or occasion "when my ~ comes to sit on David's throne --John Milton" c: an indefinite period of time: while "sent home again to her father for a ~ --Francis Hackett"
2. a: a period of the year characterized by or associated with a particular activity or phenomenon "hay fever ~": as (1): a period associated with some phase or activity of agriculture (as growth or harvesting) (2): a period in which an animal engages in some activity (as migrating or mating); also: estrus, heat (3): the period normally characterized by a particular kind of weather "a long rainy ~" (4): a period marked by special activity esp. in some field "the theatrical ~" "tourist ~" (5): a period in which a place is most frequented b: one of the four quarters into which the year is commonly divided c: the time of a major holiday
3: year "a boy of seven ~s"
4. [ME sesoun, fr. sesounen to season]: seasoning
5: the schedule of official games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season "try to get through the ~ undefeated"
6: off-season "closed for the ~" -- in season 1: at the right time
2: at the stage of greatest fitness (as for eating) "peaches are in season"
3: legally available to be hunted or caught -- out of season : not in season
[2]season vb sea.soned ; sea.son.ing [ME sesounen, fr. MF assaisoner to ripen, season, fr. OF, fr. a- (fr. L ad-) + saison season] vt (14c) 1 a: to give (food) more flavor or zest by adding seasoning or savory ingredients b: to give a distinctive quality to as if by seasoning; esp: to make more agreeable "advice ~ed with wit" c archaic: to qualify by admixture: temper
2. a: to treat (as wood or a skillet) so as to prepare for use b: to make fit by experience "a ~ed veteran" ~ vi: to become seasoned