invoke

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in·voke / inˈvōk/ • v. [tr.] cite or appeal to (someone or something) as an authority for an action or in support of an argument: the antiquated defense of insanity is rarely invoked today. ∎  call on (a deity or spirit) in prayer, as a witness, or for inspiration. ∎  call earnestly for: she invoked his help against this attack. ∎  summon (a spirit) by charms or incantation. ∎  give rise to; evoke: how could she explain how the accident happened without invoking his wrath? ∎ Comput. cause (a procedure) to be carried out.DERIVATIVES: in·vok·er n.ORIGIN: late 15th cent.: from French invoquer, from Latin invocare, from in- ‘upon’ + vocare ‘to call.’