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. 2019

Examples from the Web for invoke

Contemporary Examples of invoke

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 of invoke

It is useless to invoke the gods for his success, and it is not worth while, he added, with a faint smile.
Christ Legends
Selma Lagerlf
He could not invoke the friendship of the Third Estate, for as yet none existed.
The Holy Roman Empire
James Bryce
It is not surprising, therefore, to find the sectaries soon again driven to invoke the protection of the king.
The Emancipation of Massachusetts
Brooks Adams
She had asked Peggy to invoke the compassion and aid of the other girls and to do what she could for Yvonne herself.
The Campfire Girls on the Field of Honor
Margaret Vandercook
I trust thou dost—and not as I have heard That worldlings do, invoke them in mere blasphemy.Ant.
Olla Podrida
Frederick Marryat

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 for invoke

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

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

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

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Origin of invoke

Examples from the Web for invoke

Contemporary Examples of invoke

Historical Examples of invoke

invoke

verb (tr)

Word Origin for invoke

usage