avocation

av·o·ca·tion  (v-kshn)

n.

1. An activity taken up in addition to one's regular work or profession, usually for enjoyment; a hobby.

2. One's regular work or profession.

3. Archaic A distraction or diversion.

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[Latin vocti, voctin-, diversion, from voctus, past participle of vocre, to call away : -, ab-, away; see ab-¹ + vocre, to call; see wek^w- in Indo-European roots.]

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avo·cation·al adj.

avo·cation·al·ly adv.

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avocation

Noun

1. Brit, Austral & NZ old-fashioned a person's regular job

2. Formal a hobby [Latin avocare to distract]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

avocation - an auxiliary activity                 hobby, spare-time activity, by-line, pursuit, sideline pastime, pursuit, interest - a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly); "sailing is her favorite pastime"; "his main pastime is gambling"; "he counts reading among his interests"; "they criticized the boy for his limited pursuits" spelaeology, speleology - the pastime of exploring caves