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invoke
[ in-vohk ]
verb (used with object)
- 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.
- Computers. to cause to be displayed, opened, or executed by clicking on a link, entering a search term, changing a parameter, etc.:
Press and hold the R key to temporarily invoke the Rotate View tool, then drag your document to rotate.
- to cause, call forth, or bring about.
invoke
/ ɪˈəʊ /
verb
- to call upon (an agent, esp God or another deity) for help, inspiration, etc
- to put (a law, penalty, etc) into use
the 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
Usage
Derived Forms
- ˈǰ, noun
- ˈdz, adjective
Other 51Թ Forms
- ··· adjective
- ·ǰ· noun
- ··ǰ verb (used with object) reinvoked reinvoking
- un···· adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of invoke1
Example Sentences
“The Righteous Gemstones” actor was a guest on the “In Depth With Graham Bensinger” podcast this week when he invoked the specter of stiff person syndrome.
Sinha: Oh yes, I think there are a lot of sort of legacies and examples that we can invoke and rely on.
It was an echo of the anti-communist rhetoric that past military dictators and subsequent conservative leaders have frequently invoked against South Korean liberals, who have long been defined by their support for reconciliation with Pyongyang.
“Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to ... destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company.”
“Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company.”
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Related 51Թs
More About Invoke
What does invoke mean?
Invoke means to intensely call for something or call on someone, especially as in a prayer to a god or higher power, as in The holy woman invoked God’s mercy in her prayers.
Invoke can also mean to call for help from someone (again, usually a god), as in The shamans invoked the gods to save them from the invading army.
Invoke may also refer to stating that something is in effect, like a law or rule, as in The police invoked the new littering law when they fined Demetri for tossing his soda bottle on the ground.
And invoke can mean to call or conjure a spirit or demon, as in The warlock invoked a group of infernal imps to do his evil bidding.
Example: The ritual is meant to invoke the wrath of the gods and bring misfortune to the people’s enemies.
Where does invoke come from?
The first records of the word invoke come from around 1480. It comes from the Latin indz, meaning “to call on.” The act of invoking involves calling on someone, usually a god, for help or aid.
The word invoke is most often used in terms of religion or the law. Often, we pray to make a request to a supreme being for something, such as forgiveness, help, or mercy.
In law, a legal act or rule is invoked, or declared, to make clear that is being applied to a situation. For example, Americans will commonly invoke the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution when they don’t want to give a testimony that they believe will incriminate themselves.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to invoke?
- invoker (noun)
- invocable (adjective)
- reinvoke (verb)
- uninvocable (adjective)
What are some synonyms for invoke?
What are some words that share a root or word element with invoke?
What are some words that often get used in discussing invoke?
How is invoke used in real life?
Invoke is most often used in reference to religion or laws.
I unite myself to the pain of the families of the students barbarically killed in , . May God enlighten hearts, so that similar acts may never be repeated! I send my affection to the families and all Cameroon, and I invoke the comfort that only God can give.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex)
“Indeed, God showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke God’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace.” The Qur’an, Chapter 33, Verse 56
— Hamza A. Tzortzis (@HATzortzis)
Kagame: The first thing the leader should be doing to find a way things can be done faster, and not finding reasons why things should not be done.
Many jump to invoke the law or procedures to justify bad service.
Laws are there to ease things not to complicate them.
— The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda)
Try using invoke!
Is invoke used correctly in the following sentence?
Mighty Heracles invoked the god Zeus for the strength to defeat the wicked Hydra.
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