Oc"cu*pate (?), v. t. [L. occupatus, p. p. of occupare. See Occupy.] To
occupy. [Obs.] Bacon.
Oc`cu*pa"tion (?), n. [L. occupatio: cf.F. occupation.] 1. The act or
process of occupying or taking possession; actual possession and
control; the state of being occupied; a holding or keeping; tenure;
use; as, the occupation of lands by a tenant.
2. That which occupies or engages the time and attention; the principal
business of one's life; vocation; employment; calling; trade.
Absence of occupation is not rest.
Cowper.
Occupation bridge (Engin.), a bridge connecting the parts of an estate
separated by a railroad, a canal, or an ordinary road.
Syn. -- Occupancy; possession; tenure; use; employment; avocation;
engagement; vocation; calling; office; trade; profession.
Oc"cu*pi`er (?), n. 1. One who occupies, or has possession.
2. One who follows an employment; hence, a tradesman. [Obs.] "Merchants
and occupiers." Holland.
The occupiers of thy merchandise.
Ezek. xxvii. 27.
Oc"cu*py (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Occupied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Occupying (?).] [OE. occupien, F. occuper, fr.L. occupare; ob (see Ob-)
+ a word akin to capere to take. See Capacious.] 1. To take or hold
possession of; to hold or keep for use; to possess.
Woe occupieth the fine [/end] of our gladness.
Chaucer.
The better apartments were already occupied.
W. Irving.
2. To hold, or fill, the dimensions of; to take up the room or space
of; to cover or fill; as, the camp occupies five acres of ground. Sir
J. Herschel.
3. To possess or use the time or capacity of; to engage the service of;
to employ; to busy.
An archbishop may have cause to occupy more chaplains than six.