vo·ca·tion /voˈkeʃən/
天命,天職,才能,行業,職業
Vo·ca·tion n.
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.”
(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.
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vocation
n 1: the particular occupation for which you are trained [syn: career,
calling]
2: a body of people doing the same kind of work [syn: occupational
group]