invocation [in-vuh -key -shuh n]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for invocation on Thesaurus.com 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. Show More
Origin of invocation 1325–75; Middle English invocacio(u)n <
Latin invocātiōn- (stem of
invocātiō ). See
invocate ,
-ion Related forms in·voc·a·to·ry [in-vok -uh -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈvɒk əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/ adjective pre·in·vo·ca·tion , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
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.
I was asked by then President-elect Obama to deliver the invocation at the opening inaugural event.
When science was young, the invocation of miracles was commonplace.
This “promiscuous” invocation of religious freedom would deny equal rights to those with different religious convictions—or none.
But the Obamacare invocation is one I think they may really come to regret by next November.
Historical Examples of invocation In modern crystal-gazing and mirror-reading, however, there is no invocation .
It was a prayer, an invocation , to the unknown child, as to the unknown God!
In that case, as a Unitarian, I must object to an invocation in which I do not believe.
I feel the same about the invocation of the saints and about images.
The invocation was heard in the breasts from which it was uttered.
British Dictionary definitions for invocation 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 Show More
Derived Forms invocational , adjective invocatory (ɪnˈvɒkətərɪ , -trɪ ), adjective Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for invocation n. 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 ).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
