01 n. A calling away; a diversion.
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1.
A calling away; a diversion.[Obs. or Archaic]“Impulses to duty, and powerful avocations from sin.” — South.
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2.
That which calls one away from one's regular employment or vocation.“Heaven is his vocation, and therefore he counts earthly employments avocations.” — Fuller.“By the secular cares and avocations which accompany marriage the clergy have been furnished with skill in common life.” — Atterbury.
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3.
Pursuits; duties; affairs which occupy one's time; usual employment; vocation.“There are professions, among the men, no more favorable to these studies than the common avocations of women.” — Richardson.“In a few hours, above thirty thousand men left his standard, and returned to their ordinary avocations.” — Macaulay.“An irregularity and instability of purpose, which makes them choose the wandering avocations of a shepherd, rather than the more fixed pursuits of agriculture.” — Buckle.