Hi, Alexander!  Recently you wrote in a message to Anton Shepelev:

 AS>  It happened in the cusp season when late autumn yields
 AS>  to early winter and the weather is damp, cold, murky,

 AK>  I heard in this context about "we are on the cusp of
 AK>  winter season". Not sure about "cusp season".


            I'm not sure whether you're asking about the grammar or the meaning
... but "the cusp season" is correct AFAIK.  Alternatively, I would say "on the
 cusp of the winter season" or "on the cusp of winter".

            In North America folks say "on the cusp" meaning at or near a point
 which marks a change... typically from one astrological sun sign to another. 
I hadn't heard the word used with reference to the winter solstice before, but
it makes sense to me.  As we speak the weather in Vancouver is very much like
what Anton describes... and I expect +/- 16 hours of darkness on December 21st
while Moscow is even further north.  Under the circumstances I can see why a
homeless person who has recently awakened might enquire whether it's 8:00 AM or
 8:00 PM.

            I've always found it strange that December 21st is generally listed
 on our calendars etc. as the beginning of winter... while (depending on who
you ask) June 21st may be "midsummer day" or the official beginning of summer. 
 The earth does take awhile to warm up or cool down as the sun's rays get to us
 more or less directly.  But for many people around these parts, what matters
is when they take their long johns, snow boots, and woolly mittens out of
storage.  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)