avocation
[av-uh-key-shuh n]
- something a person does in addition to a principal occupation, especially for pleasure; hobby: Our doctor's avocation is painting.
- a person's regular occupation, calling, or vocation.
- Archaic. diversion or distraction.
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Origin of avocation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for avocation
pastime, recreation, sideline, shot, thing, diversion, kick, amusement, occupation, schtickExamples from the Web for avocation
Contemporary Examples of avocation
He stammered, and read and wrote a lot of poetry (mostly in secret), an avocation he changed to photography for the novel.
Colm Toibin Describes The Creation Of His Quiet Masterpiece ‘Nora Webster’Jennie Yabroff
November 3, 2014
I think it was more a matter of self-consciousness… I always saw writing about music as purely an avocation.
Historical Examples of avocation
Petrarca, in his avocation of barber, was in the greatest request.
The girl of the future will select her own avocation and take her own training for it.
He will find that in assuming our avocation he also has assumed our degradation.
My Bondage and My FreedomFrederick Douglass
A woman with eyes like that would not be safe alone in any avocation where men could observe her.
Man and MaidElinor Glyn
I would not like to hurt your feelings by calling your avocation a trade!
Crown and AnchorJohn Conroy Hutcheson
avocation
- formal a minor occupation undertaken as a diversion
- not standard a person's regular job or vocation
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Word Origin for avocation
C17: from Latin āvocātiō a calling away, diversion from, from āvocāre to distract, from vocāre to call
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for avocation
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper