Vacation \Va*ca"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. vacatio a being free from a duty, service, etc., fr. vacare. See Vacate.]

1. The act of vacating; a making void or of no force; as, the vacation of an office or a charter.

2. Intermission of a stated employment, procedure, or office; a period of intermission; rest; leisure.

It was not in his nature, however, at least till years had chastened it, to take any vacation from controversy. --Palfrey. Hence, specifically:
   (a) (Law) Intermission of judicial proceedings; the space of time between the end of one term and the beginning of the next; nonterm; recess. ``With lawyers in the vacation.'' --Shak.
   (b) The intermission of the regular studies and exercises of an educational institution between terms; holidays; as, the spring vacation.
   (c) The time when an office is vacant; esp. (Eccl.), the time when a see, or other spiritual dignity, is vacant.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)