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Evocation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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evocation

[ˌiːvəˈkeɪʃən ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

artistic expression

The act of bringing or recalling a feeling, memory, or image to the mind, typically through art, music, or literature.

Synonyms

reminiscence, reverie, summoning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
evocation

Use when referring to the act of bringing a memory, feeling, or image into the mind, especially through art, literature, or performance. It often implies a vivid and powerful recall.

  • The novelist's description of the old town is an evocation of her childhood memories.
  • The painting's colors and textures are an effective evocation of a summer's day.
summoning

Use when referring to the act of calling or bringing forth something, often associated with supernatural or formal contexts. It can have a serious or authoritative tone.

  • The wizard performed a ritual for the summoning of the ancient spirits.
  • The principal's summoning of the students to the assembly was unexpected.
reminiscence

Use when talking about the process of recalling past experiences or events, typically involving fond or nostalgic memories. This word has a positive and often sentimental connotation.

  • During our family gatherings, we often engage in reminiscence about our childhood.
  • Grandma's stories are always filled with fond reminiscence of her youth.
reverie

Use when referring to a daydream or a state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts. It implies a peaceful, dreamlike, and imaginative state.

  • She was lost in a reverie, gazing out of the window.
  • His reverie was interrupted by the ringing phone.

Examples of usage

  • Her painting was an evocation of childhood memories.
  • The poem served as an evocation of lost love and longing.
Context #2 | Noun

spiritual practices

The act of summoning a spirit, especially for magical or religious purposes.

Synonyms

conjuration, invocation, summoning.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
evocation

Typically used in a literary or artistic context to describe the act of bringing a memory, feeling, or image to mind.

  • The novel's detailed descriptions served as an evocation of the author's childhood
  • The painting was a beautiful evocation of a summer day
conjuration

Often used in the context of magic or the supernatural to describe the act of summoning a spirit or performing a magical spell. Can have a mysterious or eerie connotation.

  • The magician's conjuration brought forth an ethereal spirit from the shadows
  • Legends speak of ancient texts filled with powerful conjurations
invocation

Used primarily in religious, ceremonial, or formal settings to refer to a prayer or plea for assistance or presence from a deity or higher power.

  • The ceremony began with an invocation asking for peace and wisdom
  • The priest's invocation called for the protection of the congregation
summoning

Refers to the act of calling or bringing someone or something, often used in magical or supernatural contexts but can be used in everyday language as well.

  • The wizard's summoning ritual caused the creature to appear instantly
  • She felt as though her responsibilities were constantly summoning her attention

Examples of usage

  • The ritual involved the evocation of ancestral spirits.
  • The evocation of demons is a common practice in certain occult traditions.
Context #3 | Noun

psychology

The process of bringing unconscious thoughts or feelings into awareness.

Synonyms

recollection, retrieval, revelation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
evocation

Best used when referring to the act of recalling or bringing forth a feeling, memory, or image to the conscious mind as if creating or conjuring it.

  • The painting's evocation of childhood memories was truly remarkable
retrieval

Typically used in contexts involving the act of getting back or recovering information, data, or objects, often from a system or a difficult situation.

  • The retrieval of the lost data was successful, and the project could finally move forward
recollection

Used when referring to the action of remembering or recalling a past event or experience. Often implies a personal memory.

  • Her recollection of the summer vacation was clear and vivid, despite the years that had passed
revelation

Best used when referring to the act of revealing or disclosing something that was previously hidden or unknown. It often has a profound or surprising impact.

  • The revelation of the family secret changed his understanding of his own identity

Examples of usage

  • Dream analysis often involves the evocation of repressed memories.
  • Therapy can help with the evocation of buried emotions.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Evocation plays a key role in memory retrieval, where certain cues can bring back specific experiences.
  • Emotions are often tied to evoked memories; a particular smell can trigger feelings from a long-forgotten day.
  • People use evocation in therapy to help connect with past experiences to understand present feelings.

Art and Literature

  • Writers often employ evocation to create vivid imagery, immersing readers in the atmosphere of their stories.
  • Visual artists may evoke feelings through color, light, and composition, prompting viewers to recall their own memories.
  • In poetry, evocation is essential for creating emotional resonance, using metaphor and imagery to transport readers.

Pop Culture

  • Many popular songs evoke nostalgia, reminding listeners of moments from their past, like childhood or a first love.
  • Movies often use evocative music or imagery to enhance emotional responses during key scenes.
  • The concept is prevalent in marketing, where advertisements aim to evoke emotions linked to brand experiences or memories.

Religious and Spiritual Contexts

  • In some religions, evocation refers to summoning spirits or deities through rituals or prayers.
  • The act of calling upon ancestors for wisdom and guidance is a form of cultural evocation in many indigenous practices.
  • Mystical traditions use evocation to create a connection with the supernatural, often involving sacred texts or symbols.

Origin of 'evocation'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'evocation' originates from the Latin 'evocatio', meaning 'to call out or summon'.
  • A similar Latin root 'vocare' means 'to call', which relates to words like 'voice' and 'vocal'.
  • It has been used in English since the 16th century, often related to raising spirits or memories.

The word 'evocation' originated from the Latin word 'evocatio', which means 'a calling forth' or 'summoning'. It has been used in various contexts throughout history, from artistic expression to spiritual practices. The concept of evocation has been prevalent in different cultures and belief systems, often associated with invoking spirits or memories. Over time, it has become a term widely used in psychology to describe the process of bringing unconscious thoughts or feelings into awareness.

See also: evocative, evoke, evoking.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,243, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.