Vo*ca"tion (?), n. [L. vocatio a
bidding, invitation, fr. vocare to call, fr. vox,
vocis, voice: cf. F. vocation. See Vocal.]
1. 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?
Dryden.
2. 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.
Sir. P. Sidney.
3. (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." Jer.
Taylor.
(b) A call to special religious work, as to the
ministry.
Every member of the same [the Church], in his
vocation and ministry.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.
Vo*ca"tion (?), n. [L. vocatio a
bidding, invitation, fr. vocare to call, fr. vox,
vocis, voice: cf. F. vocation. See Vocal.]
1. 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?
Dryden.
2. 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.
Sir. P. Sidney.
3. (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." Jer.
Taylor.
(b) A call to special religious work, as to the
ministry.
Every member of the same [the Church], in his
vocation and ministry.
Bk. of Com. Prayer.
