Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OC-CU-PA'TION, n. [L. occupatio.]

1. The act of taking possession. Bacon.
2. Possession; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as lands in the occupation of A.B.
3. That which engages the time and attention; employment; business. He devotes to study all the time that his other occupations will permit.
4. The principal business of one's life; vocation; calling; trade; the business which a man follows to procure a living or obtain wealth. Agriculture, manufactures and commerce furnish the most general occupations of life. Painting, statuary, music, are agreeable occupations. Men not engaged in some useful occupation commonly fall into vicious courses.