Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Occasion?

\Oc*ca"sion\ ([o^]k*k[=a]"zh[u^]n), n. [F. occasion, L. occasio, fr. occidere, occasum, to fall down; ob (see {Ob-}) + cadere to fall. See {Chance}, and cf. {Occident}.] 1. A falling out, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which falls out or happens; occurrence; incident. The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its hidden excitements, and its arduous occasions. --I. Taylor. 2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience. Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me. --Rom. vii. 11. I'll take the occasion which he gives to bring Him to his death. --Waller. 3. An occurrence or condition of affairs which brings with it some unlooked-for event; that which incidentally brings to pass an event, without being its efficient cause or sufficient reason; accidental or incidental cause. Her beauty was the occasion of the war. --Dryden. 4. Need; exigency; requirement; necessity; as, I have no occasion for firearms. After we have served ourselves and our own occasions. --Jer. Taylor. When my occasions took me into France. --Burke. 5. A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion. Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her occasions sly. --Spenser. {On occasion}, in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires; occasionally. ``That we might have intelligence from him on occasion,'' --De Foe. Syn: Need; incident; use. See {Opportunity}.
\Oc*ca"sion\ ([o^]k*k[=a]"zh[u^]n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Occasioned} (-zh[u^]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Occasioning}.] [Cf.F. occasionner.] To give occasion to; to cause; to produce; to induce; as, to occasion anxiety. --South. If we inquire what it is that occasions men to make several combinations of simple ideas into distinct modes. --Locke.