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Invocation Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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invocation

[หŒษชn.vษ™หˆkeษช.สƒษ™n ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

religious ceremony

The act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication.

Synonyms

calling upon, prayer, supplication.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
invocation

This word is often used in formal ceremonies or events, particularly at the beginning, to ask for assistance or support from a higher power.

  • The ceremony began with an invocation by the local pastor.
prayer

This is a general term for communicating with a deity, typically in religious contexts. It can be done individually or in a group, often in places of worship or privately at home.

  • Every night, the family gathers for a short prayer before dinner.
supplication

This word is used to describe a humble, earnest request or plea, often in a religious or spiritual context. It conveys a sense of desperation or deep need.

  • In his time of need, he fell to his knees in supplication.
calling upon

This phrase is used when requesting help or action from someone, often in a less formal setting, and can refer to invoking a deity or simply asking for help from another person.

  • The community is calling upon the mayor to address the issue.

Examples of usage

  • The priest performed the invocation before the ceremony began.
  • The invocation of ancient gods in the ritual was believed to bring blessings.
Context #2 | Noun

formal request

A formal request for aid, support, or attention.

Synonyms

appeal, plea, request.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
invocation

Used mostly in formal, religious, or spiritual settings, especially to refer to a prayer or asking for guidance or help from a higher power. Can also refer to invoking something formally.

  • The ceremony began with an invocation by the priest.
  • The constitution includes an invocation of the nation's ideals.
request

A more general and neutral term, used in a wide variety of settings from formal to casual, whenever you are asking for something.

  • Could I make a request to change the meeting time?
  • She sent a request for additional information.
plea

Commonly used in legal contexts, particularly when someone is begging or offering an earnest request. It can sometimes imply desperation.

  • The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.
  • She made a heartfelt plea for understanding.
appeal

Often used in legal contexts or to describe a serious or urgent request for help or support. It can also refer to asking a higher court to change a legal decision.

  • The charity made an appeal for donations to help flood victims.
  • He filed an appeal to overturn his conviction.

Examples of usage

  • The student made an invocation for extra time to complete the assignment.
  • The company sent an invocation to the government for financial assistance.
Context #3 | Noun

computer programming

A special method, function, or procedure in programming languages that performs a specific task.

Synonyms

calling, function call, method call.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
invocation

This is often used in technical settings like computer science or formal settings like religious ceremonies. It implies a formal summoning or an appeal to a higher power.

  • The priest started the ceremony with an invocation.
  • He wrote an invocation function to initialize the program.
calling

This can be used broadly, often implying both a literal and figurative act of asking someone to come or recognizing one's destiny or vocation.

  • After many years, she finally found her true calling in life.
  • He was calling his dog to come back home.
method call

Commonly used in object-oriented programming to refer to the act of executing a method on an object.

  • The method call changes the object's internal state.
  • Ensure you understand the context when making a method call.
function call

Used specifically in the context of programming, referring to the act of executing a previously defined function.

  • The function call will execute once all inputs are validated.
  • Proper function call syntax is crucial for script execution.

Examples of usage

  • The programmer wrote an invocation to calculate the sum of two numbers.
  • The use of invocations in the code improved efficiency.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term comes from the Latin 'invocatio', meaning 'to call upon or to summon'.
  • In ancient religious practices, people would perform invocations to invite deities or spirits to join their rituals.

Literature

  • Many epic poems, like Homer's 'The Iliad', start with an invocation to the Muse, asking for guidance in telling the story.
  • The invocation in Shakespeareโ€™s plays often sets the mood, inviting both the audience and supernatural elements into the action.

Religion

  • In various religions, invocations are used in prayers to invite divine presence, especially in ceremonies and gatherings.
  • Rituals often include invocations where participants call upon specific saints or angels for protection and favor.

Psychology

  • In modern psychology, invocations can be seen as techniques to harness self-awareness or mindfulness, inviting positive thoughts to take charge.
  • Some therapeutic practices use invocations to encourage healing and personal growth by focusing on inner strengths.

Pop Culture

  • In movies and books, characters often invoke ancient spells or powers to solve problems, demonstrating the power of belief and intention.
  • Video games often have 'invocation' mechanics where players call upon powers or allies to aid them in their quests.

Origin of 'invocation'

The word 'invocation' originated from the Latin word 'invocatio', which means 'a calling upon'. The concept of invoking higher powers or spirits has been present in various cultures throughout history, often as part of religious or ceremonial practices. Over time, 'invocation' has also been adapted to refer to formal requests or calls for assistance in different contexts, including computer programming. The word embodies the idea of seeking help, support, or inspiration from external sources.

See also: invocations, invoke.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,543, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.