Calling, n.
1. The act of one who calls; a crying aloud, esp. in order to summon, or to attact the attention of, some one.
2. A summoning or convocation, as of Parliament. The frequent calling and meeting of Parlaiment. Macaulay.
3. A divine summons or invitation; also, the state of being divinely called. Who hath . . . called us with an holy calling. 2 Tim. i. 9. Give diligence to make yior calling . . . sure. 2 Pet. i. 10.
4. A naming, or inviting; a reading over or reciting in order, or a call of names with a view to obtaining an answer, as in legislative bodies.
4 more senses
5. One's usual occupation, or employment; vocation; business; trade. The humble calling of ter female parent. Thackeray.
6. The persons, collectively, engaged in any particular professions or employment. To impose celibacy on wholy callings. Hammond.
7. Title; appellation; name. [Obs.] I am more proud to be Sir Rowland's son His youngest son, and would not change that calling. Shak.
Syn. -- Occupation; employment; business; trade; profession; office; engagement; vocation.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for calling; he lists it under business.
Where he writes about it:
An avocation is what calls one away from other work; a vocation or calling, that to which one is called by some special fitness or sense of duty; thus, we speak of the gospel ministry as a vocation or calling, rather than a business. — from business
To ejaculate is to throw out brief, disconnected, but coherent utterances of joy, regret, and especially of appeal, petition, prayer; the use of such devotional utterances has received the special name of "ejaculatory prayer." To cry out is to give forth a louder and more excited utterance than in exclaiming or calling; one often exclaims with sudden joy as well as sorrow; if he cries out, it is oftener in grief or agony. — from call