Search the Dictionary

sion and control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure; use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.

The state of being unemployed; want of occupation. [R.]

Want of occupation.

The act of preoccupying, or taking possession of beforehand; the state of being preoccupied; prepossession.

Entire engrossment or occupation of the mind; as, absorption in some employment.

nd other dimensions of human beings, especially at different ages, or in different races, occupations, etc. Dunglison.

person skilled in the art of building; one who understands architecture, or makes it his occupation to form plans and designs of buildings, and to superintend the artificers employed.

The systematic application of knowledge or skill in effecting a desired result. Also, an occupation or business requiring such knowledge or skill. The fishermen can't employ their art with so much success in so troubled a sea. Addison.

An artistic worker; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind, as a silversmith.

One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual art or occupation. Pope.

to transfer to another tribunal. [Obs. or Archaic] One who avocateth his mind from other occupations. Barrow. He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome. Robertson.

One whose occupation it is to shave or trim the beard, and to cut and dress the hair of his patrons. Barber's itch. See under Itch.

A professional poet and singer, as among the ancient Celts, whose occupation was to compose and sing verses in honor of the heroic achievements of princes and brave men.

ity of sentiment; ignoble; mean; illiberal; menial; as, a base fellow; base motives; base occupations. "A cruel act of a base and a cowardish mind." Robynson (More's Utopia). "Base ingratitude." Milton.

In a state of anticipation ore preoccupation; in advance; -- often followed by with. Agricola . . . resolves to be beforehand with the danger. Milton. The last cited author has been beforehand with me. Addison.

To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation.

One whose occupation is to post handbills or posters in public places.

The art, act, or occupation or catching birds or wild fowls.

One who whitens, or whose occupation is to whiten, by bleaching.

oken or dislocated bones; -- commonly applied to one, not a regular surgeon, who makes an occupation of setting bones. -- Bone"set*ting, n.