invitatory

American  

[in-vahy-tuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ɪnˈvaɪ təˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. serving to invite; conveying an invitation.

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invitatory British  

/ -trɪ, ɪnˈvaɪtətərɪ /

adjective

1. serving as or conveying an invitation

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noun

1. any of various invitations to prayer, such as Psalm 95 in a religious service

Etymology

Origin of invitatory

1300–50; Middle English < Late Latin invītātōrius, equivalent to invitā ( re ) to invite + -tōrius -tory ¹

Example Sentences

Everybody was at dinner; and the serious Kellner of "Der Wildemann" glanced in mild reproach at Mr. James Clinch, who, disregarding that fact and the invitatory table d'hote, stepped into the street.

From The Twins of Table Mountain by Harte, Bret

Down one block—two, three; then a sudden pause before a narrow store front liberally placarded with invitatory signs to the public, and with a red cross blazoning above the doorway.

From The Best Short Stories of 1915 And the Yearbook of the American Short Story by O'Brien, Edward J. (Edward Joseph Harrington)

We appeal to each of these post-Elizabethans with the invitatory line of one of them: ‘Charm me asleep with thy delicious numbers!’

From Thomas Stanley: His Original Lyrics, Complete, In Their Collated Readings of 1647, 1651, 1657. With an Introduction, Textual Notes, A List of Editions, An Appendis of Translation, and a Portrait. by Stanley, Thomas

The invitatory is omitted, they tell us, that we, like the Magi, may come to Christ, without other than a silent invitation.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.

The first Sunday of Advent has the invitatory hymn and the rest of the Office proper.

From The Divine Office by Quigley, Edward J.