invoke

CEFRC1

/ɪnˈvoʊk/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To mention or use something as a source of help or authority.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To call another ship.

Examples

  • How do we invoke a response from the computer?

  • Once Tom tried to invoke a demon, and he almost succeeded.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ɪnˈvəʊk/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To solicit, petition for, appeal to a favorable attitude.

  2. To call upon (a person, a god) for help, assistance or guidance.

  3. To call to mind (something) for some purpose.

More examples

In context

  • In certain Christian circles, invoking the Bible constitutes irrefutable proof.

  • The envoy invoked the King of Kings's magnanimity to reduce his province's tribute after another drought.

  • This satanist ritual invokes Beelzebub.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The lawyer decided to blank the Fifth Amendment to avoid answering the question during the trial.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English *invoken, envoken, borrowed from Old French envoquer, from Latin invocāre (“to call upon”), itself from in- + vocare (“to call”). Doublet of invocate.