Occasion

(ok kä′zhun), n. [Lat. occasio, from occidere, occasum, to fall down, from prefix ob and cadere, to fall; Fr. occasion, Pr. occasio, Sp. occasion, It. occasione.] 1. A falling, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which falls or happens out of the regular order of events; an occurrence, casualty, incident. The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its hidden excitements, and its arduous occasions, bring the individuals of the home-circle within the sanctuary of each other's bosoms. I. Taylor. 2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience; opportunity. 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 direct and efficient cause, or real or sufficient reason; accidental cause. Her beauty was the occasion of the war. Dryden.

4. Opportunity to use; incidental need; casual exigency; opportunity accompanied with need or demand; requirement; necessity; need. “After we have served ourselves and our own occasions.” Bp. Taylor. “When my occasions took me into France.” Burke.
5. An excuse; an argument or persuasion. [Obs.]

Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her occasions sly. Spencer. On occasion, from time to time; as it happens; in necessity. “That we might have intelligence from him on occasion.” De Foe. Syn.—Opportunity; necessity; need; incident; use. See OPPORTUNITY.