\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 alternations
   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 of 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 agrecable.
         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.