Collins English-English Dictionary

season ['siːz^ən]

1. 1. n 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

2. 2. n a period of the year characterized by particular conditions or activities

   the rainy season

3. 3. n 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

4. 4. n a period during which a particular entertainment, sport, etc, takes place

   a season at the National Theatre

   the football season

   the tourist season

5. 5. n (esp formerly) a period of fashionable social events in a particular place

   the London season

6. 6. n any definite or indefinite period

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

8. 8. n [sometimes capital] Christmas (esp in the phrases compliments of the season, Season's greetings)

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

10. 10. vt. [tr] to add herbs, salt, pepper, or spice to (food)

11. 11. vt. [tr] to add zest to

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

13. 13. vt. [tr; usually passive] to make or become mature or experienced

    seasoned troops

14. 14. vt. [tr] to mitigate or temper

    to season one's admiration with reticence

15. 15. vt. [Etymology] C13: from Old French seson, from Latin satio a sowing, from serere to sow