invocation

[in-vuh-key-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR invocation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication.

any petitioning or supplication for help or aid.

a form of prayer invoking God's presence, especially one said at the beginning of a religious service or public ceremony.

an entreaty for aid and guidance from a Muse, deity, etc., at the beginning of an epic or epiclike poem.

the act of calling upon a spirit by incantation.

the magic formula used to conjure up a spirit; incantation.

the act of calling upon or referring to something, as a concept or document, for support and justification in a particular circumstance.

the enforcing or use of a legal or moral precept or right.

Origin of invocation

1325–75; Middle English invocacio(u)n < Latin invocātiōn- (stem of invocātiō). See invocate, -ion

Related formsin·voc·a·to·ry

[in-vok-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈvɒk əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjectivepre·in·vo·ca·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for invocation

hocus-pocus, abracadabra, hoodoo, calling, command, summons, supplication, entreaty, voodoo, appeal, petition, rune, conjuration, beseeching

Examples from the Web for invocation

Contemporary Examples of invocation

Feminists should be concerned about the invocation of traditional roles.
Intersexuality and God Through the Ages
Candida Moss
November 9, 2014
I was asked by then President-elect Obama to deliver the invocation at the opening inaugural event.
How to Pray in the Public Square
Gene Robinson
May 11, 2014
When science was young, the invocation of miracles was commonplace.
Should Scientists Believe in Miracles?
Karl W. Giberson
March 9, 2014
This “promiscuous” invocation of religious freedom would deny equal rights to those with different religious convictions—or none.
How ‘Religious Freedom’ Is Hurting Everyone’s Freedom
Robert Shrum
March 5, 2014
But the Obamacare invocation is one I think they may really come to regret by next November.
Beware, Republicans: HealthCare.gov Will Rise Again
Michael Tomasky
November 28, 2013

Historical Examples of invocation

In modern crystal-gazing and mirror-reading, however, there is no invocation.
Storyology
Benjamin Taylor
It was a prayer, an invocation, to the unknown child, as to the unknown God!
Doctor Pascal
Emile Zola
In that case, as a Unitarian, I must object to an invocation in which I do not believe.
The Christian
Hall Caine
I feel the same about the invocation of the saints and about images.
Erasmus and the Age of Reformation
Johan Huizinga
The invocation was heard in the breasts from which it was uttered.
The Reign of Mary Tudor
W. Llewelyn Williams.

British Dictionary definitions for invocation

invocation

noun

the act of invoking or calling upon some agent for assistance

a prayer asking God for help, forgiveness, etc, esp as part of a religious service

an appeal for inspiration and guidance from a Muse or deity at the beginning of a poem

the act of summoning a spirit or demon from another world by ritual incantation or magic
the incantation used in this act

Derived Formsinvocational, adjectiveinvocatory (ɪnˈvɒkətərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

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 invocation

late 14c., "petition (to God or a god) for aid or comfort; invocation, prayer;" also "a summoning of evil spirits," from Old French invocacion (12c.), from Latin invocationem (nominative invocatio), noun of action from past participle stem of invocare "to call upon, invoke, appeal to" (see invoke).