VOCATION • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Vocation

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/voʊkˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Vocation n.

A call; a summons; a citation; especially, a designation or appointment to a particular state, business, or profession. "What can be urged for them who not having the vocation of poverty to scribble, out of mere wantonness make themselves ridiculous?"

Destined or appropriate employment; calling; occupation; trade; business; profession. "He would think his service greatly rewarded, if he might obtain by that means to live in the sight of his prince, and yet practice his own chosen vocation."

(Theol.) A calling by the will of God. Specifically:

(a)

The bestowment of God's distinguishing grace upon a person or nation, by which that person or nation is put in the way of salvation; as, the vocation of the Jews under the old dispensation, and of the Gentiles under the gospel. "The golden chain of vocation, election, and justification."

(b)

A call to special religious work, as to the ministry. "Every member of the same (the Church), in his vocation and ministry."

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Etymology of 'Vocation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Vocation" Quotes from Famous Books

... ranks of society. Nevertheless, desultory as his labours, fragmentary as his productions at present may seem to the cursory observer—my undoubting belief is, that in the end it will be found that Coleridge did, in his vocation, the day's work of a giant. He has been melted into the very heart of the rising literatures of England and America; and the principles he has taught are the master-light of the moral and intellectual being of men, who, if they shall fail to save, will assuredly illustrate and condemn, ...

— Specimens of the Table Talk of S.T.Coleridge • Coleridge

... years," continued the Spaniard, "since I took up my real vocation in the world. Previous to that time, I believed myself made for domestic life, and indulged in those absurd dreams of love natural to young hearts. An illusion soon destroyed—an evil hour—an accident ...

— Wood Rangers - The Trappers of Sonora • Mayne Reid

... been very diligent in my vocation; but you have so drained all the French plays and romances, that they are not able to supply you with words ...

— The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18) - Almanzor And Almahide, Marriage-a-la-Mode, The Assignation • John Dryden

... reader of your valuable paper and find in it much to interest, and many practical hints that are useful in my vocation; I would not be without it for any consideration and I think every mechanic in the land should take it, read it, and profit by ...

— Scientific American, Vol.22, No. 1, January 1, 1870 • Various

... to me to entreat a favour of you before I close my letter. When, in your precepts to youth, you arrive at the chapter and age which treats of the choice of a profession, I implore you to insert something to this effect: "If your vocation leads you to be a publisher or editor of any work, moral, political, or historical, it matters not which, do not consider yourself at liberty to mutilate an author without his previous knowledge, and above all, one who is tenacious ...

— Memoirs To Illustrate The History Of My Time - Volume 1 • Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot

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