I. ˈsē-z ə n noun
Etymology: Middle English sesoun, from Anglo-French seison natural season, appropriate time, from Latin sation-, satio action of sowing, from serere to sow — more at sow
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature
in a season of religious awakening — F. A. Christie
b. : a suitable or natural time or occasion
when my season comes to sit on David's throne — John Milton
c. : an indefinite period of time : while
sent home again to her father for a season — Francis Hackett
2.
a. : a period of the year characterized by or associated with a particular activity or phenomenon
hay fever season
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 season
(4) : a period marked by special activity especially in some field
tourist season
hunting season
(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 season s
4.
[Middle English sesoun, from sesounen to season]
: seasoning
5. : the schedule of official games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season
got through the season undefeated
6. : off-season
closed for the season
•
- in season
- out of season
II. verb
( sea·soned ; sea·son·ing ˈsēz-niŋ, ˈsē-z ə n-iŋ)
Etymology: Middle English sesounen, back-formation from sesounde flavored, from Anglo-French seisoné brought to a desired state, from seison
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
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 ; especially : to make more agreeable
advice season 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 season ed veteran
intransitive verb
: to become seasoned