invoke

[in-vohk]

See more synonyms for invoke on Thesaurus.com

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.

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

Examples from the Web for invoke

Contemporary Examples

Before you invoke images of a nation enjoying more indolence than industry, there is an uncomfortable statistic to digest.
Obama’s Extravagant Summer Break? More Like, America’s Vacation-Deficit Disorder
Clive Irving
August 10, 2014
Alas, I must invoke Marx, because it is a question of limited resources.
Reading Prison Novels In Prison
Daniel Genis
May 24, 2014
Do I, a law professor, get to invoke the privilege when I write a piece for The Daily Beast?
Democracy Demands a Journalist-Source Shield Law
Geoffrey R. Stone
April 15, 2014
Does a personal blogger writing on Facebook get to invoke the privilege?
Democracy Demands a Journalist-Source Shield Law
Geoffrey R. Stone
April 15, 2014
The conservative line on Bridgegate is to invoke Benghazi or the IRS scandal, but that doesn't make any sense.
Changing the Subject Won't Work
Jamelle Bouie
January 13, 2014

Historical Examples

Then she began busily to invoke the protection of all the saints in the calendar.
Gomez Arias
Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
Invoke not the unhallowed spirits of the abyss; invoke the spotless synod of the Gods.
Imogen
William Godwin
We have the law with us, and your conduct will lead us to invoke it.
Cy Whittaker's Place
Joseph C. Lincoln
"A law that will hang you if you invoke it," she cut in quickly.
Mistress Wilding
Rafael Sabatini
Do you know that it is against your father and your father's brother that you invoke God's vengeance?
The Tavern Knight
Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for invoke

invoke

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 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 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.

invoke

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Examples from the Web for invoke

Contemporary Examples

Before you invoke images of a nation enjoying more indolence than industry, there is an uncomfortable statistic to digest.

Alas, I must invoke Marx, because it is a question of limited resources.

Do I, a law professor, get to invoke the privilege when I write a piece for The Daily Beast?

Does a personal blogger writing on Facebook get to invoke the privilege?

The conservative line on Bridgegate is to invoke Benghazi or the IRS scandal, but that doesn't make any sense.

Historical Examples

Then she began busily to invoke the protection of all the saints in the calendar.

Invoke not the unhallowed spirits of the abyss; invoke the spotless synod of the Gods.

We have the law with us, and your conduct will lead us to invoke it.

"A law that will hang you if you invoke it," she cut in quickly.

Do you know that it is against your father and your father's brother that you invoke God's vengeance?

invoke

Word Origin

usage

Word Origin and History for invoke

v.

Origin of invoke