close season, n.
Brit. /ˈkləʊs ˌsiːzn/, /ˈkləʊz ˌsiːzn/, U.S. /ˈkloʊs ˌsiznˌ/, /ˈkloʊz ˌsiznˌ/
[Apparently <close adj. + season n. Compare later closed season n. at closed adj. Additions]
1. The period of the year when hunting (of a particular variety of game) or fishing is prohibited. Cf. close adj. 10, open season n. 1.
| 1843 Times 4 Jan. 7/3 John McDonald..was brought before Sheriff Cameron..for having in his possession seven muirfowl during the close season. 1888 in E. E. Morris Austral Eng. (1898) 229/1 The months of December, January, and February in each year are here prescribed a close season for the fish of the species of the mugil known as mullet or kanae. 1939W. Westrup Circumstances in E. R. Seary S. Afr. Short Stories (1947) 222, I don't interfere if a man wants a bit o' meat in the close season, but I reckon he didn't oughter kill sorter promiscuous. 1999 M. Shoard Right to Roam viii. 344 The close season for salmon runs from November until January. |
2. Brit. In professional sport: the period of the year when a particular sport is not played.
| 1890 Times 17 Sept. 5/2 Proposed by the Rev. F. Marshall... No [rugby] football contest of any character, either for charity or otherwise, where gate money is taken, be allowed during the close season. 1973 P. Arnold & C. Davis Hamlyn Bk. World Soccer 77/1 Derby County were on a close-season tour abroad when they learned..that their rivals had failed and they were the Champions. 2004 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Nexis) 14 Oct. 62 The ex-St Johnstone playmaker had been told during the close season his six-month deal would be extended if he proved his worth. |