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invoke

[in-vohk]
verb (used with object), in·voked, in·vok·ing.
  1. to call for with earnest desire; make supplication or pray for: to invoke God's mercy.
  2. to call on (a deity, Muse, etc.), as in prayer or supplication.
  3. to declare to be binding or in effect: to invoke the law; to invoke a veto.
  4. to appeal to, as for confirmation.
  5. to petition or call on for help or aid.
  6. to call forth or upon (a spirit) by incantation.
  7. to cause, call forth, or bring about.
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Origin of invoke

1480–90; < Latin invocāre, equivalent to in- in-2 + vocāre to call, akin to vōx voice
Related formsin·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, adjectiveun·in·voked, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for invocable

invoke

verb (tr)
  1. to call upon (an agent, esp God or another deity) for help, inspiration, etc
  2. to put (a law, penalty, etc) into usethe union invoked the dispute procedure
  3. to appeal to (an outside agent or authority) for confirmation, corroboration, etc
  4. to implore or beg (help, etc)
  5. to summon (a spirit, demon, etc); conjure up
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Derived Formsinvocable, adjectiveinvoker, noun

Word Origin

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

usage

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

Word Origin and History for invocable

invoke

v.

late 15c., from Middle French envoquer (12c.), from Latin invocare "call upon, implore," from in- "upon" (see in- (2)) + vocare "to call," related to vox (genitive vocis) "voice" (see voice (n.)). Related: Invoked; invoking.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper