occasion

The story

1. Latin · derived fromoccāsiōnem
2. Old French · derived fromoccasiun
3. Middle French · derived fromoccasion
4. Middle English · inherited fromoccasioun
5. English todayoccasion

From Middle English occasioun, from Middle French occasion, from Old French occasiun, from Latin occāsiōnem, noun of action from perfect passive participle occāsus, from verb occidō, from prefix ob- (“down", "away”) + verb cadō (“fall”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance.
• from 14th c. An occurrence or state of affairs which causes some event or reaction; a motive or reason.
• from 14th c. Something which causes something else; a cause.
• 14th–18th c. An occurrence or incident.
• from 15th c. A particular happening; an instance or time when something occurred.
• from 16th c. A need; requirement, necessity.
• from 19th c. A special event or function.