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Webster 1913 Edition

Vocation

Vo-ca′tion

(vō̍-kā′shŭn)
,
Noun.
[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.

Webster 1828 Edition

Vocation

VOCA'TION

,
Noun.
[L. vocatio, from voco, to call. See Voice.]
1.
Among divines, a calling by the will of God; or 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.
2.
Summons; call; inducement.
What can be urged for them who, not having the vocation of poverty to scribble, out of mere wantonness make themselves ridiculous!
3.
Designation or destination to a particular state or profession.
None is to enter the ecclesiastic or monastie state, without a particular vocation.
4.
Employment; calling; occupation; trade; a word that includes professions as well as mechanical occupations. Let every divine, every physician, every lawyer, and every mechanic, be faithful and diligent in his vocation.

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