Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Occasional
Oc-ca′sion-al
(ŏk-kā′zhŭn-al)
, Adj.
[Cf. F.
occasionnel
.] 1.
Occuring at times, but not constant, regular, or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or admits; casual; incidental;
as,
. occasional
remarks, or effortsThe . . .
occasional
writing of the present times. Bagehot.
2.
Produced by accident;
as, the
. occasional
origin of a thing[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.
Occasional cause
(Metaph.)
, some circumstance preceding an effect which, without being the real cause, becomes the occasion of the action of the efficient cause;
thus, the act of touching gunpowder with fire is the
.occasional
, but not the efficient, cause of an explosionWebster 1828 Edition
Occasional
OCCA'SIONAL
,Adj.
1.
Incidental; casual; occurring at times, but not regular or systematic; made or happening as opportunity requires or admits. We make occasional remarks on the events of the age.2.
Produced by accident; as the occasional origin of a thing.3.
Produced or made on some special event; as an occasional discourse.