Word of the Day: AVOCATION

A pleasurable pursuit or pastime

avocation (noun) - a hobby or enjoyable activity; that which calls one away from gainful employment [av-uh-key-shuhn]

BREAKDOWN: A- (away from) + VOC- (to call) + -ATION (act of)

• a vocation is a profession or calling, especially one that suits particular talents and inclinations

See also: irrevocable, supervocalic, unequivocal

“The trick is to start early in our careers the stress-relieving avocation that we will need later as a mind-exercising final vocation. We can quit a job, but we quit fresh involvement at our mental peril.” —William Safire