invitatory

American  

[in-vahy-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪnˈvaɪ təˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. serving to invite; conveying an invitation.

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invitatory British  

/ -trɪ, ɪnˈvaɪtətərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as or conveying an invitation

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noun

1. any of various invitations to prayer, such as Psalm 95 in a religious service

Etymology

Origin of invitatory

1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin invītātōrius, equivalent to invitā ( re ) to invite + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

“Don’t care if I do, Bill,” he continued, in response to Bill’s invitatory gesture, walking to the bar.

From The Idler Magazine, Vol III. May 1893 An Illustrated Monthly by Various

Everybody was at dinner; and the serious Kellner of "Der Wildemann" glanced in mild reproach at Mr. James Clinch, who, disregarding that fact and the invitatory table d'hote, stepped into the street.

From The Twins of Table Mountain by Harte, Bret

We appeal to each of these post-Elizabethans with the invitatory line of one of them: ‘Charm me asleep with thy delicious numbers!’

From Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657. With an Introduction, Textual Notes, A List of Editions, An Appendis of Translation, and a Portrait. by Stanley, Thomas

Some authors recommend such pauses at the end of the invitatory, at the end of each hymn, or after each Gloria.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

The invitatory is omitted, they tell us, that we, like the Magi, may come to Christ, without other than a silent invitation.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.