occasion

Where does the word "occasion" come from? It comes from Latin cadere, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Occasion’s story begins in Latin: cadere meant “to fall.” To fall, combined with ob- (toward). Within Latin, it grew into occasio by ancient. A falling toward, a favorable moment, from ob- and cadere. From there it passed into Old French as occasion by medieval. Carried into French for a particular time or event. It reached English by 1300s as occasion. Settled as the English word for a particular time or special event. Today, occasion means a particular time or event, especially a special or noteworthy one.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cadere "to fall", to fall, combined with ob- (toward).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient occasio "a falling toward, a favorable moment", a falling toward, a favorable moment, from ob- and cadere.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval occasion "a particular time or event", carried into French for a particular time or event.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s occasion "a particular time, or a special event", settled as the English word for a particular time or special event.