occasion

n

1. time, instance, case; juncture, point, place, spot, position, setting; circumstance, condition, situation; conjuncture, set of circumstances or affairs.

2. occurrence, incident, episode, experience, adventure, event; affair, function, happening, Archaic. hap; observance, commemoration, service; celebration, party, get-together; gala, show, big or major production, big or major deal or thing.

3. opportunity, opportune or suitable time or place, season, stage, right set of circumstances, contingency; chance, opening, golden opportunity, once-in-a-lifetime chance, turn, Inf. shot, Sl. crack.

4. reason, reason why, why and wherefore, the why, the wherefore, Inf. the what for, rationale, explanation, excuse, basis, ground, justification, warrant; motive, motivation, inspiration, inducement, incentive, incitement, stimulus, impulse, provocation; cause, determinant, determining factor, origin, source, root, fountainhead, mainspring, derivation.

5. on occasion

now and then, once in a while, sometimes. See occasionally.

v

6. give an opportunity or chance or opening for, call for, demand, raise a need for, make necessary; motivate, prompt, bring about, bring on, induce, bring forth or out, bring to pass, elicit, give rise to, effect, cause, provoke; generate, breed, engender, beget, give birth to, produce, make, create; start, originate, begin, set up, establish, build