invoke

in·voke

Use invoke in a sentence

verb

The definition of invoke is to call on someone or something to help or inspire you.
An example of invoke is trying to contact someone who died.
To invoke is defined as to emotionally ask for something.
An example of to invoke is a charity group asking for money.
Invoke means to put something to use.
An example of to invoke is to use city code to argue a disagreement with a policeman.

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"Invoke." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke.

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Invoke. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke

invoke

transitive verb

-·voked′, -·vok′ing

to call on (God, a god, a saint, the Muses, etc.) for blessing, help, inspiration, support, etc.
to resort to or put into use (a law, ruling, penalty, etc.) as pertinent: to invoke an article of the UN Charter
to call forth; cause
to summon (evil spirits) by incantation; conjure
to ask solemnly for; beg for; implore: to invoke aid

Origin of invoke

Middle English invoken from Middle French invoquer from Classical Latin invocare from in-, in, on + vocare, to call from vox, voice

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"Invoke." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke.

APA Style

Invoke. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke

invoke

transitive verb

in·voked, in·vok·ing, in·vokes

To call on (a higher power) for assistance, support, or inspiration: “Stretching out her hands she had the air of a Greek woman who invoked a deity” ( Ford Madox Ford )
To appeal to or cite in support or justification.
To call for earnestly; solicit: invoked the help of a passing motorist.
To summon with incantations; conjure.
To resort to; use or apply: “Shamelessly, he invokes coincidence to achieve ironic effect” ( Newsweek )
Computers To activate or start (a program, for example).

Origin of invoke

Middle English envoken from Old French invoquer from Latin invocāre in- in ; see in- ². vocāre to call ; see wek^w- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

in·vok′er
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"Invoke." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke.

APA Style

Invoke. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke

Verb

(third-person singular simple present invokes, present participle invoking, simple past and past participle invoked)

To call upon (a person, especially a god) for help, assistance or guidance.
To appeal for validation to a (notably cited) authority.
In certain Christian circles invoking the Bible constitutes irrefutable proof.
To conjure up with incantations.
This satanist ritual invokes Beelzebub.
To bring about as an inevitable consequence.
Blasphemy is taboo as it may invoke divine wrath.
To solicit, petition for, appeal to a favorable attitude.
The envoy invoked the King of Kings's magnanimity to reduce his province's tribute after another draught.
(computing) To cause (a program or subroutine) to execute.
Interactive programs let the users enter choices and invoke the corresponding routines.

Related terms

Origin

From Middle English invoken, from Middle French invoquer (=modern French), from Latin invocare (“to call upon”), itself from in- + vocare 'to call'

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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Link to this page

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MLA Style

"Invoke." YourDictionary. LoveToKnow. www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke.

APA Style

Invoke. (n.d.). In YourDictionary. Retrieved from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Invoke

invoke - Computer Definition

To activate a program, routine, function or process.

Computer Desktop Encyclopedia THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher. © 1981-2017 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved.