invoke

[ in-vohk ]

/ ɪnˈvoʊk /

verb (used with object), in·voked, in·vok·ing.

to call for with earnest desire; make supplication or pray for: to invoke God's mercy.

to call on (a deity, Muse, etc.), as in prayer or supplication.

to declare to be binding or in effect: to invoke the law; to invoke a veto.

to appeal to, as for confirmation.

to petition or call on for help or aid.

to call forth or upon (a spirit) by incantation.

to cause, call forth, or bring about.

Words nearby invoke

invitee, inviting, invocate, invocation, invoice, invoke, involucel, involucrate, involucre, involucrum, involuntary

Origin of invoke

1480–90; < Latin invocāre, equivalent to in- in-² + vocāre to call, akin to vōx voice

OTHER WORDS FROM invoke

in·vo·ca·ble, adjectivein·vok·er, nounre·in·voke, verb (used with object), re·in·voked, re·in·vok·ing.un·in·vo·ca·ble, adjective

un·in·voked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for invocable

invoke

/ (ɪnˈvəʊk) /

verb (tr)

to call upon (an agent, esp God or another deity) for help, inspiration, etc

to put (a law, penalty, etc) into usethe union invoked the dispute procedure

to appeal to (an outside agent or authority) for confirmation, corroboration, etc

to implore or beg (help, etc)

to summon (a spirit, demon, etc); conjure up

Derived forms of invoke

invocable, adjectiveinvoker, noun

Word Origin for invoke

C15: from Latin invocāre to call upon, appeal to, from vocāre to call

usage for invoke

Invoke is sometimes wrongly used where evoke is meant: this proposal evoked (not invoked) a strong reaction

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012