Related to a job, profession, or the activities involved in one's work. Often used in contexts like occupational safety or occupational therapy.
From Latin occupatio meaning 'a taking possession' via French occupation. The work-related sense developed in the 17th century from the idea of 'occupying' oneself with labor or business.
The word reveals how we conceptualize work as literally 'occupying' our time and space - we don't just do jobs, we're occupied by them. This spatial metaphor shows how deeply work penetrates our identity and daily existence.
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