Defn: The act of taking or holding possession; possession; occupation. Title by occupancy (Law), a right of property acquired by taking the first possession of a thing, or possession of a thing which belonged to nobody, and appropriating it. Blackstone. Kent.
OCCUPANT Oc"cu*pant, n. Etym: [L. occupans, p.pr. of occupare: cf. F. occupant. See Occupy.]
1. One who occupies, or takes possession; one who has the actual use or possession, or is in possession, of a thing.
Note: This word, in law, sometimes signifies one who takes the first possession of a thing that has no owner.
2. A prostitute. [Obs.] Marston.
OCCUPATE
Oc"cu*pate, v. t. Etym: [L. occupatus, p.p. of occupare. See Occupy.]
Defn: To occupy. [Obs.] Bacon.
OCCUPATION
Oc`cu*pa"tion, n. Etym: [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.