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 alterations 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 or the usual or appointed
time.
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
agreeable.
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.
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.
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 alterations 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 or the usual or appointed
time.
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
agreeable.
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.
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.
