a. and sb. [f. L. āvocāre: see AVOCATE and -ATIVE.]

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  A.  adj. Calling off or away.

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1835.  in Knowles.

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  B.  sb. Anything which calls away.

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a. 1677.  Barrow, Exp. Creed (L.). All other incentives to virtue and avocatives from vice.

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