occasion

Main Entry:: ¹oc·ca·sion
Pronunciation:: \ə-ˈkā-zhən\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French, from Latin occasion-, occasio, from occidere to fall, fall down, from ob- toward + cadere to fall — more at ob-, chance
Date:: 14th century

1: a favorable opportunity or circumstance <did not have occasion to talk with them>2 a: a state of affairs that provides a ground or reason <the occasion of the discord was their mutual intolerance> b: an occurrence or condition that brings something about ; especially : the immediate inciting circumstance as distinguished from the fundamental cause <his insulting remark was the occasion of a bitter quarrel>3 a: happening , incident b: a time at which something happens : instance4 a: a need arising from a particular circumstance barchaic : a personal want or need —usually used in plural5plural : affairs , business6: a special event or ceremony : celebration

— on occasion

: from time to time

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