avocation
UK[ˌævəˈkeɪʃən]US[ˌævəˈkeɪʃən]
n
a hobby or minor occupation.
n
(archaic) a person's regular occupation, calling, or vocation.
Morpheme Breakdown
a
vocation
a
away from
vocation
calling
Etymology
The word "avocation" originates from the Latin 'avocatio', a noun derived from the verb 'avocare', meaning "to call away". This verb is a compound of the prefix 'a-' (ab-, meaning "away from") and 'vocare' ("to call"). In its earliest English use, it reflected this literal sense, meaning something that calls one away from one's primary duties. Over time, the semantic emphasis shifted from the distraction itself to the nature of the activity one is called away to, leading to its modern meaning of a hobby or secondary pursuit, distinct from one's main vocation. This evolution illustrates a logical path from a literal action ("calling away") to a conceptual category of activity.
Analysis
Structure: a (away from) + vocation (calling)
a- (Latin prefix, meaning "away from" or "off"); vocation (Latin root, from 'vocatio', meaning "a calling", "summons")
Examples
woodworking is more than just an avocation for him; it's a passionate creative outlet.
she pursued painting as an avocation while working full-time in finance.
the term originally referred to a distraction from one's main employment, but now an avocation is often a beloved pastime.