seasons

seasons divisions of the year characterized by variations in the relative lengths of day and night and in the amount of heat received from the sun. These variations depend on the inclination of the equator to the plane of the ecliptic and on the revolution of the earth around the sun. The amount of heat received at a given point on the earth's surface depends chiefly on the angle at which the sun's rays strike the earth at that point and on the daily duration there of exposure to the sun's rays; the more vertical the rays and the longer the exposure, the more heat will be received. Seasonal change varies greatly with latitude. Near the equator there is little change; in high latitudes spring and autumn are very short. In the temperate zones there are four well-defined seasons; in the north temperate zone, spring begins about Mar. 21, the vernal equinox ; summer, about June 22, the summer solstice ; autumn, about Sept. 23, the fall equinox; and winter, about Dec. 22, the winter solstice. However, the weather lags somewhat behind the seasons because, at the time of maximum sunlight (summer solstice for the Northern Hemisphere) the ground is still too cold to radiate as much heat as it receives, so average temperatures usually continue to rise for several weeks until a balance is reached between reception and radiation of heat. In low latitudes and in certain other areas (e.g., India) where oceans and winds are the chief factors governing seasonal changes, the terms "wet season" and "dry season" are used. The seasons play an important part in mythology and folklore; many holidays are connected with the changes of season.

seasons Four periods of the year based on differential solar heating of the Earth as it makes its annual revolution of the Sun. The Northern Hemisphere receives more solar radiation when its Pole points towards the Sun in summer and less in winter when it points away. The opposite holds for the Southern Hemisphere. The seasons begin at the vernal (spring) and autumnal equinoxes and the winter and summer solstices.

sea·son / ˈsēzən/ • n. each of the four divisions of the year (spring, summer, autumn, and winter) marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours, resulting from the earth's changing position with regard to the sun. ∎  a period of the year characterized by a particular climatic feature or marked by a particular activity, event, or festivity: the rainy season the season for gathering pine needles. ∎  a fixed time in the year when a particular sport is played: basketball season is over. ∎  the time of year when a particular fruit, vegetable, or other food is plentiful and in good condition: the pies are made with fruit that is in season lobster season. ∎  an indefinite or unspecified period of time; a while: this most beautiful soul, who walked with me for a season in this world. ∎ archaic a proper or suitable time: to everything there is a season. • v. [tr.] 1. add salt, herbs, pepper, or other spices to (food): season the soup to taste with salt and pepper | [as adj.] (seasoned) seasoned flour. ∎  add a quality or feature to (something), esp. so as to make it more lively or exciting: his conversation is seasoned liberally with exclamation points and punch lines. 2. make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used: [as adj.] (seasoned) it was made from seasoned, untreated oak. ∎  [as adj.] (seasoned) accustomed to particular conditions; experienced: she is a seasoned traveler. PHRASES: for all seasons suitable in or appropriate for every kind of weather: a coat for all seasons. ∎  adaptable to any circumstance: a singer for all seasons. season's greetings used as an expression of goodwill at Christmas or the New Year.