| 释义 |
sea·son
I. \ˈsēzən\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English sesoun, seisoun, from Old French saison, seson, from Latin sation-, satio action of sowing, from satus (past participle of serere to sow) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at sow
1.
a. : a time or period of time characterized or made significant by a particular feature, circumstance, or event
< during this season of sorrow >
b. : a suitable, fitting, or natural time or occasion : a proper conjuncture
< this is not the season for such arguments >
< in due season you will understand >
c. : a period not specifically limited but usually of short or moderate duration
< agreed to wait for a season >
d. : a particular point in a period of time or the course of events
< at that season I could reach no decision >
< visitors and interruptions at all seasons >
2. : a particular period of the year: as
a.
(1) : the annual period during which a plant produces its fruit, flower, or other economic part
< the too brief strawberry season >
(2) : the annual period in which an animal engages in some activity (as mating or migrating) or is available for hunting or food
< during the mating season old bucks may be vicious >
< the season for oysters >
also : estrus, heat
< a single annual season >
— usually used with in
< as heifers come in season >
b. : the period normally characterized by a particular kind of weather
< a long rainy season >
< during the cold season >
sometimes : inclement weather : a spell of damp or rainy weather
c. : the period during which a particular agricultural activity is commonly performed
< the planting season >
d. archaic : the period in which an organized body (as a court or university) is in session
e. : one of the divisions of the year marked by alterations in the length of day and night or by distinct conditions of temperature and moisture caused mainly by the relative position of the earth's axis with respect to the sun
f. : a period of the year set off or conceived of as set off by a particular and usually high level of activity in some field (as social, cultural, or business)
< a good theatrical season >
< the height of the social season >
< the dull season that follows the holidays >
also : the annual period when a place is most frequented for social activities or amusement
< the London season lasts from May to July >
g.
(1) : a brief annual period in which a particular holiday occurs; especially : a period extending from shortly before Christmas through New Year's Day
< sent out season's greeting >
< the busy rush of the holiday season >
(2) : any of various periods in the Christian year commemorative chiefly of Christ's life (as Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany, Lent, Eastertide, Ascensiontide, Whitsuntide, Trinity)
3. [Middle English sesoun, from sesounen, v.] obsolete : something that gives relish : seasoning
4. archaic : a recurrent period in the course of heavenly bodies
5. seasons plural : years — used in reckoning age
< a boy of seven seasons >
6. : one of eight tiles whose use is optional in a Mah-Jongg game — called also flower
7. : the total schedule of games played or to be played by a sports team during a playing season; also : the results of such a series of games
< an unbeaten season >
•
- in season
- in season and out of season
- out of season
II. verb
(seasoned ; seasoned ; seasoning \-z(ə)niŋ\ ; seasons)
Etymology: Middle English sesounen, from Middle French assaisoner to ripen, make palatable by adding seasoning, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + saison, seson season
transitive verb
1.
a. : to give (food) better flavor or more zest by adding seasoning or savory ingredients
< likes to seasonthe cheese with chives or anchovies — Jane Nickerson >
also : to add seasoning to
< season a dish too highly >
b. : to render more agreeable (as by an addition of something)
< seasoning our thoughts with laughter >
also : to adapt to taste
c. archaic
(1) : to qualify by admixture : moderate, temper
< when mercy seasons justice — Shakespeare >
(2) : imbue, tinge
2. : to treat in such a manner or by such a process as will fit best to some end or use
< season a pipe by careful smoking >
as
a. obsolete : embalm
b. : to fit or prepare by time or habit : habituate, acclimatize
c. obsolete : discipline, train
d. : to prepare (lumber) for use by drying in the open air or in a kiln
intransitive verb
1. : to become seasoned; especially : to become dry and hard by escape of the natural juices or by being penetrated with other substance
< timber that seasons well in the open air >
2. : to flavor food with seasoning or savory ingredients
< season with sliced onions, leeks, tomatoes, paprika — J.D.Vehling >
also : to add seasoning
< season to taste >
Synonyms: see harden |