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invoke

Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvəʊk/

Translate invoke | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of invoke

verb

[with object]
  • 1call on (a deity or spirit) in prayer, as a witness, or for inspiration.
  • summon (a spirit) by charms or incantation.
  • 2cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument:the antiquated defence of insanity is rarely invoked in England
  • call earnestly for:she invoked his help against this attack
  • give rise to; evoke:how could she explain how the accident happened without invoking his wrath?
  • 3 Computing cause (a procedure) to be carried out.

Derivatives

invoker

noun

Origin:

late 15th century: from French invoquer, from Latin invocare, from in- 'upon' + vocare 'to call'

invoke in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of invoke in the US English dictionary

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