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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

3 entries under this word

Season

Sēa'son, n.

noun

(sē'z'n), n. [Fr. saison, O. Fr. saison, seson, Pr. & Sp. sazon, from Lat. satio, a sowing, a planting, from serere, satum, to sow, plant; hence satio, also equivalent to tempus sationis, and afterward equivalent to satio verna, æstiva, autumnalis; It. stagione, Sp. estacion, from Lat. statio, station.]

Sense 1. One of the four divisions of the year, spring, summer, autumn, winter; hence, a period of the year, as marked by its characteristics of temperature, moisture, conditions of nature, and the like.

We saw, in six days' traveling, the several seasons of the year in their beauty. Addison.

Sense 2. Hence, a period of time, especially as regards its fitness for any thing contemplated or done; a suitable or convenient time; proper conjuncture.

The season prime for sweetest scents and airs. Milton.

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

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

Sense 4. That which seasons, or gives relish or flavor; seasoning. [Obs.]

You lack the season of all nature—sleep. Shak.

In season, in good time, or sufficiently early for the purpose. — Out of season, beyond or out of the proper time, or the usual or appointed time.

A diagram shows the Earth at several points in its orbit, with dates and seasonal markers indicating its changing position relative to the Sun.

Sēa'son, v. t.

verbtransitive

(sē'zn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. SEASONED; p. pr. & vb. n. SEASONING.] [Pr. & Sp. sazonar, Pg. sazonar, sazoar, Fr. assaisonner, Pr. assazonar, Pg. asazonar. See supra.] 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 mature; as, to season one to a climate. *Who in want a hollow friend doth try, Directly seasons him an enemy.* Shak.

  1. Hence, to prepare by drying or hardening, or removal of natural juices; as, to season timber and the like.
  2. To fit for taste; to render palatable; to give zest or relish to; to spice; as, to season food.
  3. Hence, to fit for enjoyment; to render agreeable or pleasant.

You season still with sports your serious hours. Dryden. The proper use of wit is to season conversation. Tillotson.

  1. To qualify by admixture; to moderate; to temper. “When mercy seasons justice.” Shak.
  2. To imbue; to tinge or taint; hence, to communicate first instruction to. “Who by their tutor being seasoned with the love of the truth.” Fuller.

Season their younger years with prudent and pious principles. Bp. Taylor. 8. To copulate with; to have carnal knowledge of; to impregnate. [Rare.] Holland.

Sēa'son, v. i.

verbintransitive

(sē'zn), v. i. 1. To become mature; to grow fit for use; to become adapted to a climate, as the human body.

  1. To become dry and hard, by the escape of the natural juices, or by being penetrated with other substance.
  2. To give token; to savor. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.