seed-time
(ˈsiːdtaɪm)
Also 7 seeds-time.
[f. seed n. + time n.]
The season of sowing seed.
| 1400 Langland's P. Pl. A. Prol. 21 (Univ. Coll. MS.) In seed tyme and in Sowynge. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 253/20 Bytwyx heruest and syde-tyme. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform. xii. 59 In beir seid tyme ȝour burrow rudis ly fauch Cause of this murther laitly maid amang ȝow. 1611 Bible Gen. viii. 22 While the earth remaineth, seed-time and haruest..shall not cease. 1647 Fuller Good Th. in Worse T. 17, I saw in seed-time an Husbandman at Plow. 1767 A. Ferguson Ess. Hist. Civ. Soc. ii. ii. (1793) 137 After they have shared the toils of the seed-time, they enjoy the fruits of the harvest in common. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 484 Harrowing, an operation which is executed by an implement that will be particularly described when it comes to be spoken of in seed-time. |
| fig. 1614 R. Harris Samuel's Funerall (1618) 8 Now is the seeds-time, sowe apace, as yet you haue all aduantages from grace and nature. 1776 Paine Com. Sense 60 Youth is the seed time of good habits. 1860 Guthrie (title) Seed-Time and Harvest of Ragged Schools. |