season

[ see-zuhn ]

/ ˈsi zən /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR season ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), beginning astronomically at an equinox or solstice, but geographically at different dates in different climates.

a period of the year characterized by particular conditions of weather, temperature, etc.: the rainy season.

a period of the year when something is best or available: the oyster season.

a period of the year marked by certain conditions, activities, etc.: baseball season.

a period of the year immediately before and after a special holiday or occasion: the Christmas season.

Sports.

a period with reference to the total number of games to be played by a team: a 162-game season.
a period with reference to the won-lost record of a team after it has completed its schedule: a .700 season.

any period or time: in the season of my youth.

a suitable, proper, fitting, or right time: This is not the season for frivolity.

verb (used with object)

to heighten or improve the flavor of (food) by adding condiments, spices, herbs, or the like.

to give relish or a certain character to: conversation seasoned with wit.

to mature, ripen, or condition by exposure to suitable conditions or treatment: a writer seasoned by experience.

to dry or otherwise treat (lumber) so as to harden and render immune to shrinkage, warpage, etc.

to accustom or harden: troops seasoned by battle.

verb (used without object)

to become seasoned, matured, hardened, or the like.

Idioms for season

for a season, for a time, especially a short time: He lived in Paris for a season.

in good season, in enough time; sufficiently early: Applicants will be notified of our decision in good season.

in season,

in the time or state for use, eating, etc.: Asparagus is now in season.
in the period regulated by law, as for hunting and fishing.
at the right time; opportunely.
(of an animal, especially female) in a state of readiness for mating; in heat.
in good season.

in season and out of season, regardless of time or season; at all times: Misfortunes plague this family in season and out of season.

out of season, not in season: The price is so high because lilacs are out of season now.

Origin of season

1250–1300; (noun) Middle English sesoun, seson < Old French se(i)son < Latin satiōn- (stem of satiō) a sowing (Vulgar Latin: sowing time), equivalent to sa- (variant stem of serere to sow) + -tiōn- -tion; (v.) Middle English seso(u)nen < Old French saisonner to ripen, make palatable by aging, derivative of seison

SYNONYMS FOR season

14 mature, harden, toughen.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR season ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM season

sea·soned·ly, adverb sea·son·er, noun sea·son·less, adjective non·sea·soned, adjective

o·ver·sea·son, verb (used with object) post·sea·son, adjective, noun pre·sea·son, noun re·sea·son, verb well-sea·soned, adjective

Words nearby season

seasickness, seaside, seaside knotweed, seaside sparrow, seasnail, season, season creep, season ticket, seasonable, seasonal, seasonal affective disorder

Example sentences from the Web for well-seasoned

Though not ideal, well-seasoned ingredients and a good pressing will go a long way to making a great Cuban.

How Havana Perfected the Sandwich |Ana Sofia Pelaez |September 8, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
The head should be made of close-grained, well-seasoned wood, and of the exact dimensions of the chamber.

Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. |Bureau of Ordnance, USN
Cover with well-seasoned gravy and then with a crust, brushing the edges of the crust well with water.

Mrs. Wilson's Cook Book |Mary A. Wilson
All the wood-work should be of tough and well-seasoned timber, so as to impose no unnecessary weight on the wagon trains.

Elements of Military Art and Science |Henry Wager Halleck

My friend,” said this well-seasoned physician, “you are perhaps not aware of the fact that the appendix is on the right side.

Confessions of a Neurasthenic |William Taylor Marrs
A couple tablespoonfuls of rice or barley added to well-seasoned stock and you have rice or barley soup.

Mary at the Farm and Book of Recipes Compiled during Her Visit among the "Pennsylvania Germans" |Edith M. Thomas

British Dictionary definitions for well-seasoned (1 of 2)

well-seasoned

adjective (well seasoned when postpositive)

(of food) flavoured pleasantly or generously with herbs, salt, pepper, or spices

(of timber) prepared and dried skilfully or thoroughly

(of a person) matured or experienced

British Dictionary definitions for well-seasoned (2 of 2)

season

/ (ˈsiːzən) /

noun

one of the four equal periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and solstices, resulting from the apparent movement of the sun north and south of the equator during the course of the earth's orbit around it. These periods (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) have their characteristic weather conditions in different regions, and occur at opposite times of the year in the N and S hemispheres

a period of the year characterized by particular conditions or activities the rainy season

the period during which any particular species of animal, bird, or fish is legally permitted to be caught or killed open season on red deer

a period during which a particular entertainment, sport, etc, takes place a season at the National Theatre; the football season; the tourist season

(esp formerly) a period of fashionable social events in a particular place the London season

any definite or indefinite period

any of the major periods into which the ecclesiastical calendar is divided, such as Lent, Advent, or Easter

(sometimes capital) Christmas (esp in the phrases compliments of the season, Season's greetings)

a period or time that is considered proper, suitable, or natural for something

in good season early enough

in season

(of game) permitted to be caught or killed
(of fresh food) readily available
Also: in heat, on heat (of some female mammals) sexually receptive
appropriate

verb

(tr) to add herbs, salt, pepper, or spice to (food)

(tr) to add zest to

(in the preparation of timber) to undergo or cause to undergo drying

(tr; usually passive) to make or become mature or experienced seasoned troops

(tr) to mitigate or temper to season one's admiration with reticence

Derived forms of season

seasoned, adjective seasoner, noun seasonless, adjective

Word Origin for season

C13: from Old French seson, from Latin satiō a sowing, from serere to sow

Scientific definitions for well-seasoned

season

[ sē′zən ]

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.

Idioms and Phrases with well-seasoned

season

see in season; open season.

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