Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OC-CA'SION, n. [s as z; L. occasio, from occido, to fall, ob and cado.]

1. Properly, a falling, happening or coming to; an occurrence, casualty, incident; something distinct from the ordinary course or regular order of things. Hooker.
2. Opportunity; convenience; favorable time, season or circumstances. I'll take th' occasion which he gives to bring / Him to his death. Waller. Use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh. Gal. v. Sin taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me. Rom. vii.
3. Accidental cause; incident, event or fact giving rise to something else. What was the occasion of this custom? Her beauty was the occasion of the war. Dryden.
4. Incidental need; casual exigency; opportunity accompanied with need or demand. So we say, we have occasion for all our resources. We have frequent occasions for assisting each other. The ancient canons were well fitted for the occasion of the church in its purer ages. Baker. My occasions have found time to use them toward a supply of money. Shak.