What is "on occasion"

Occasion \Oc*ca"sion\ ([o^]k*k[=a]"zh[u^]n), n. [F. occasion, L. occasio, fr. occidere, occasum, to fall down; ob (see Ob-) + cadere to fall. See Chance, and cf. Occident.]

1. A falling out, happening, or coming to pass; hence, that which falls out or happens; occurrence; incident; event.

   The unlooked-for incidents of family history, and its hidden excitements, and its arduous occasions.
   --I. Taylor.

2. A favorable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance; convenience.

   Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me.
   --Rom. vii. 11.

   I'll take the occasion which he gives to bring Him to his death.
   --Waller.

3. An occurrence or condition of affairs which brings with it some unlooked-for event; that which incidentally brings to pass an event, without being its efficient cause or sufficient reason; accidental or incidental cause.

   Her beauty was the occasion of the war.
   --Dryden.

4. Need; exigency; requirement; necessity; as, I have no occasion for firearms.

   After we have served ourselves and our own occasions.
   --Jer. Taylor.

   When my occasions took me into France.
   --Burke.

5. A reason or excuse; a motive; a persuasion. Whose manner was, all passengers to stay, And entertain with her occasions sly. --Spenser. On occasion,

   1. in case of need; in necessity; as convenience requires. ``That we might have intelligence from him on occasion,''
      --De Foe.

   2. occasionally; from time to time; now and then.

      Syn: Need; incident; use. See Opportunity.

adv. occasionally, from time to time, now and then

adv. now and then or here and there; "he was arrogant and occasionally callous"; "open areas are only occasionally interrupted by clumps of trees"; "they visit New York on occasion"; "now and again she would take her favorite book from the shelf and read to us"; "as we drove along, the beautiful scenery now and then attracted his attention" [syn: occasionally, once in a while, now and then, now and again, at times, from time to time]