Ocarina, ok-a-rē′na, n. a kind of musical instrument with a whistling sound, made of terra-cotta, with finger-holes and a mouthpiece. [It.]

Occamism, ok′am-mizm, n. the doctrine of the nominalist schoolman, William of Occam or Ockham (c. 1270-1349).—n. Occ′amist, a follower of Occam.

Occamy, ok′a-mi, n. a silvery alloy. [Alchemy.]

Occasion, o-kā′zhun, n. a case of something happening: a special time or season: a chance of bringing about something desired: an event which, although not the cause, determines the time at which another happens: a reason or excuse: opportunity: requirement, business: a special ceremony.—v.t. to cause indirectly: to influence.—adj. Occā′sional, falling in the way or happening: occurring only at times: resulting from accident: produced on some special event.—ns. Occā′sionalism, the philosophical system of the Cartesian school for explaining the action of mind upon matter, or the combined action of both by the direct intervention of God, who on the occasion of certain modifications in our minds, excites the corresponding movements of body, and on the occasion of certain changes in our body, awakens the corresponding feelings in the mind; Occā′sionalist; Occasional′ity.—adv. Occā′sionally.—n. Occā′sioner.—On occasion, in case of need: as opportunity offers, from time to time; Take occasion, to take advantage of an opportunity. [Fr.,—L. occasion-emoccidĕreob, in the way of, cadĕre, casum, to fall.]

Occident, ok′si-dent, n. the western quarter of the sky where the sun goes down or sets: the west generally.—adj. Occiden′tal, noting the quarter where the sun goes down or sets: western: relatively less precious, as a gem.—n. a native of some occidental country—opp. to Oriental.—v.t. Occiden′talise, to cause to conform to western ideas or customs.—ns. Occiden′talism, habits, &c., of occidental peoples; Occiden′talist, a student of occidental languages—opp. to Orientalist: an individual belonging to an oriental country who favours western ideas, customs, &c.—adv. Occiden′tally. [Fr.,—L. occidens, -entis, pr.p. of occidĕre, to fall down.]

Occiput, ok′si-put, n. the back part of the head or skull.—adj. Occip′ital, pertaining to the occiput or back part of the head.—n. the occipital bone.—adv. Occip′itally.—adjs. Occip′ito-ax′ial, of or pertaining to the occipital bone and to the axis or second cervical vertebra; Occip′ito-front′al, pertaining to the occiput and to the forehead; Occip′ito-tem′poral, pertaining to the occipital and temporal regions. [L.,—ob, over against, caput, head.]

Occlude, o-klōōd′, v.t. to absorb, as a gas by a metal.—adj. Occlu′dent, serving to close.—n. Occlu′sion, a closing of an opening, passage, or cavity: the act of occluding or absorbing.—adj. Occlu′sive, serving to close.—n. Occlu′sor, that which closes, esp. an organ for closing an opening in a body. [L. occludĕre,—ob, before, claudĕre, to shut.]

Occult, ok-kult′, adj. covered over: escaping observation: hidden: not discovered without test or experiment: secret, unknown, transcending the bounds of natural knowledge.—n. Occultā′tion, a concealing, esp. of one of the heavenly bodies by another: state of being hid.—adj. Occult′ed (Shak.), hidden, secret: (astron.) concealed, as by a body coming between.—ns. Occult′ism, the doctrine or study of things hidden or mysterious—theosophy, &c.; Occult′ist, one who believes in occult things.—adv. Occult′ly.—n. Occult′ness.—Occult sciences, alchemy, astrology, magic, &c. [Fr.,—L. occulĕre, occultum, to hide.]

Occupy, ok′ū-pī, v.t. to take or hold possession of: to take up, as room, &c.: to fill, as an office: to employ: (B.) to use: to trade with: (Shak.) to possess, enjoy.—v.i. to hold possession: (B.) to trade:—pa.t. and pa.p. occ′ūpied.—ns. Occ′upancy, the act of occupying, or of taking or holding possession: possession: the time during which one occupies; Occ′upant, one who takes or has possession.—v.t. Occ′upāte (Bacon), to hold: to possess:—pr.p. occ′ūpāting; pa.p. occ′ūpāted.—n. Occupā′tion, the act of occupying or taking possession: possession: state of being employed or occupied: that which occupies or takes up one's attention: employment.—adj. Occupā′tive.—n. Occ′upier, one who takes or holds possession of: an occupant: (B.) a trader. [Fr.,—L. occupāre, -ātumob, to, on, capĕre, to take.]

Occur, o-kur′, v.i. to come or be presented to the mind: to happen: to appear: to be found here and there: to coincide in time:—pr.p. occur′ring; pa.p. occurred′.—ns. Occur′rence, anything that occurs: an event, esp. one unlooked for or unplanned: occasional presentation; Occur′rent, one who comes to meet another: (B.) an occurrence or chance.—adj. (B.) coming in the way. [Fr.,—L. occurrĕreob, towards, currĕre, to run.]