I. ə-ˈkā-zhən noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin occasion-, occasio, from occidere to fall, fall down, from ob- toward + cadere to fall — more at ob- , chance
Date: 14th century
1. : a favorable opportunity or circumstance
did not have occasion to talk with them
2.
a. : a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason
the occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance
b. : an occurrence or condition that brings something about ; especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause
his insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel
3.
a. : happening , incident
b. : a time at which something happens : instance
4.
a. : a need arising from a particular circumstance
b. archaic : a personal want or need — usually used in plural
5. plural : affairs, business
6. : a special event or ceremony : celebration
•
- on occasion
II. transitive verb
( -sioned ; oc·ca·sion·ing -ˈkāzh-niŋ, -ˈkā-zhə-)
Date: 15th century
: bring about , cause