season
UK[ˈsiːz(ə)n]US[ˈsiːzən]
n
one of the four periods of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter)
n
a period of the year characterized by a particular activity, event, or condition
v
to add salt, herbs, pepper, or other spices to food
v
to make wood or other material suitable for use by gradually drying it
Etymology
The word 'season' entered English in the 13th century from the Old French 'seison', meaning 'sowing, planting', which itself originated from the Latin 'sationem', the noun of action from 'serere', meaning 'to sow'. The Latin verb 'serere' can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root sē-, meaning 'to sow'. The semantic journey from the act of sowing to a period of time is logical: 'sowing time' was a specific, important period, which generalized to denote any fixed period, and eventually became specialized for the four divisions of the year. The culinary sense, 'to add flavoring', developed in the 14th century from the idea of making fruit or food 'ripe' or suitable for consumption by adding elements that enhance it, paralleling how time (a season) ripens crops.
Analysis
The modern English word 'season' is a simplex form derived from a single Latin root via Old French. Its spelling and structure are not productively divisible into separate, meaningful morphemes in contemporary English.
Examples
My favorite season is autumn, when the leaves change color.
The football season runs from August to May.
Remember to season the soup with a little salt and pepper.