invocation

[ in-vuh-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication.
2. any petitioning or supplication for help or aid.
3. a form of prayer invoking God's presence, especially one said at the beginning of a religious service or public ceremony.
4. an entreaty for aid and guidance from a Muse, deity, etc., at the beginning of an epic or epiclike poem.
5. the act of calling upon a spirit by incantation.
6. the magic formula used to conjure up a spirit; incantation.
7. the act of calling upon or referring to something, as a concept or document, for support and justification in a particular circumstance.
8. the enforcing or use of a legal or moral precept or right.

invocation

/ ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən; -trɪ; ɪnˈvɒkətərɪ /

noun

1. the act of invoking or calling upon some agent for assistance
2. a prayer asking God for help, forgiveness, etc, esp as part of a religious service
3. an appeal for inspiration and guidance from a Muse or deity at the beginning of a poem
4. 1. the act of summoning a spirit or demon from another world by ritual incantation or magic
   2. the incantation used in this act

Derived Forms

• ˌinvoˈcational, adjective
• invocatory, adjective

Other Words From

• in·voc·a·to·ry [in-, vok, -, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• prein·vo·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of invocation¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English invocacio(u)n, from Latin invocātiōn-, stem of invocātiō “a calling upon”; invocate, -ion

Example Sentences

Nine days before Election Day, Donald Trump delivered his closing argument at a Madison Square Garden rally that drew comparisons to a 1939 pro-Nazi rally in the same arena and characterized by similar anti-democratic themes: demonization of immigrants and political enemies, invocation of strongman leadership, threats of violent retribution, denunciations of the press.

From Salon

The irony and tragedy of Trump’s invocation of the opinion is that the court declared it was ruling not for Trump but “for the ages.”

From Los Angeles Times

I have a lot of concern for where we may be headed if there is a pretextual and abusive invocation of the Alien Enemies Act.

From Slate

During a debate earlier this month, Gascón mocked Hochman’s vague policy positions as a “concept of a plan,” but his invocation of the well-known Trumpism drew crickets from the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

But she added that “courts may strike down an invocation of the Alien Enemies Act under modern due process and equal protection law, justiciable grounds for checking abusive presidential action.”

From Los Angeles Times