adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
an occasional reference
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During the interview, he made only occasional references to his forthcoming autobiography.
momentary/temporary/occasional etc lapse
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Despite the occasional lapse, this was a fine performance by the young saxophonist.
occasional table
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADVERB
only
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In this book only occasional direct reference has been made to the results of numerical modelling.
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Already emaciated, he would take only occasional bites of food and seemed to shake violently when he drank fluids.
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It might not be worth adding a card to a machine which needs only occasional access to the network.
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A slight breeze picks up and you see only occasional flashes of distant lightning that still illuminate the whole sky.
very
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There are very occasional exceptions to this round condemnation.
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There are very occasional technical lapses but nothing distressing.
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A very occasional half tablet might be prescribed by the doctor to restore a habit of good sleep that has been broken.
■ NOUN
foray
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The sealed tender system has, in the past, alternated with the occasional foray by the MoD into auctions.
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The rioters did make the occasional foray , but north of the Santa Monica Freeway the thin blue line swiftly grew thicker.
lapse
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The diagrams that accompany the text are usually excellent with only the occasional lapse .
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Some people think Sawyer would make a lousy anchor because of her occasional lapses into tabloid tawdriness.
table
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Four chairs pushed into a corner looked distinctly Chippendale, as did a couple of desks and occasional tables .
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Picture frames can make striking displays on occasional tables , window sills or other low-level areas.
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He removed the vase and put it on the occasional table next to the wedding photograph.
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A Victorian stuff-over settee made £320; a mahogany hexagonal occasional table , £200 and a Sheffield plate tea urn, £170.
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She put him on to researching the availability of marble vanity-unit tops and free-standing occasional tables .
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It was rather exquisitely decorated, and furnished with chairs, occasional tables and a cupboard which appeared to be eighteenth-century antiques.
use
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Some members of the elite find his occasional use of crude language offensive.
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It may be of most value for occasional use , in known responders, to save embarrassment when sleeping away from home.
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An exception is the occasional use of the latter where authentic detail is more accessible.
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Teachers may find history games valuable for occasional use .
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A cat and the occasional use of warfarin keep the rats and mice more or less in check.
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One marriage counsellor described her occasional use of role reversal.
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Just a room for occasional use over a few months, cash in advance of course, sorry no baby-sitting.
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These services may also be available for occasional use .
visit
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Over the years I made the occasional visit to Cheltenham.
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Even the occasional visit is tendered.
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There were occasional visits and/or correspondence.
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Anglers paying only occasional visits are unlikely to realise that anything is wrong until all the fish disappear.
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Such occasional visits could be important.
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It was sad to see them all go, but a wonderful joy it is when they all come for occasional visits .
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
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occasional poems
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an occasional smoker
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I didn't know Terry very well, but we went out for an occasional drink together.
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I drink the occasional glass of wine, but not much else.
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She still has occasional headaches.
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The prisoners are allowed occasional visits from their relatives.
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The street was silent except for the occasional burst of laughter from one of the workmen.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
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Alcoholism, depression and an intensity of Presbyterian self-chastisement were abundantly in evidence, with the occasional nervous collapse or suicide.
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Even with the occasional gaffe, marketers say placing products in movies is an increasingly important way to enhance exposure.
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For some it is all the singing they do, other than the occasional hymn or Mass setting.
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In the remaining 10 control patients, there were occasional positive cells scattered throughout the lamina propria.
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One of the Kissers was still dropping an occasional tiny egg.
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The occasional car which drove up Prinzenstrasse during the afternoon received similar treatment, with identical results.
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The occasional pint of beer at skittles night is allowed too.
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The only sound in the house is the occasional last convulsive sob from the top of the stairs.