invocation
UK: ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən | US: ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃən
n. the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or higher power for aid, inspiration, or authority
n. a formal prayer or appeal, especially at the beginning of a ceremony or ritual
n. (computing) the process of activating a program, function, or procedure
The word "invocation" traces back to Latin invocatio, derived from invocare ("to call upon"). The morpheme in- (upon) combines with vocare (to call), which also gives rise to related words like "vocal" and "invoke." The suffix -ation nominalizes the action, turning the verb into a noun. Historically, invocations were ritualistic appeals to divine forces, reflecting the literal "calling upon" for assistance—a concept preserved in both religious and modern technical contexts (e.g., program invocation).
The priest began the ceremony with an invocation to the gods.
Her poetry often includes invocations to the Muses for creative inspiration.
The software’s invocation of the backup function was automatic.
During the trial, the lawyer made an invocation of the defendant’s rights.
Ancient rituals typically featured invocations to ensure a successful harvest.