Occasioun

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A particular time or event in which something happens ; a favorable chance to do something ; a reason or ground for an action ; to bring about or give rise to something
2. A specific instance or happening at a given time ; a suitable opening or chance for action ; a motive or justification for doing something ; to produce or lead to a result
3. One particular moment or gathering where something takes place ; a good window of opportunity ; the cause that prompts a response ; to be the source of an effect

Etymology: "Occasioun" is an older spelling of "occasion," the form English used before its spelling settled. The modern word comes from Old French "occasion," which took it from Latin "occasio." That Latin noun is built from "ob," meaning "toward" or "against," and "cadere," meaning "to fall." An occasion was, literally, something that falls in your path. The Latin sense was closer to "opportunity" or "a favorable turn of events," and that is the idea that carries into English. Older English uses also leaned toward "cause" or "reason," as when someone is said to have had an occasion for doing something, a sense that survives in phrases like "no occasion for alarm."