invocation

/ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-və-ˈkā-shən/ (ame, mw)

invocation — 名詞

  • invocationsingular
  • invocationsplural

1. naming a rule, principle, or earlier example as the reason why your action or ar

1.名詞C1
釋義

援引；引用

援引法律、原則或先例以支持自己的論點

naming a rule, principle, or earlier example as the reason why your action or argument is correct.

例句

The minister's invocation of national security stopped further questions in the hearing.

部長援引國家安全為由，使聽證會上的進一步質詢戛然而止。

invocation of + abstract principle to justify an action

Shirin defended her thesis by invocation of three classic studies on memory loss.

Shirin 在論文答辯中引用了三項關於記憶喪失的經典研究來支持自己的觀點。

by invocation of + supporting evidence

同義詞
  • citation

    neutral; usually for sources, not principles

  • appeal

    broader; can mean asking, not only citing

文法句型

invocation of [law/principle/idea]

用法筆記

Subject is usually an institution, official, or person speaking in a formal setting; rarely used in casual conversation. Distinguish from sense 2 (which is asking for help, not justifying yourself).

常見錯誤

❌I made an invocation of my rights at the party.
✅I cited my rights at the party.
💡sense 1 belongs to formal hearings, debates, or written argument, not casual settings.

2. a spoken or sung appeal made to a god, saint, or higher power, often opening a r

2.名詞C1
釋義

祈禱；祝禱

向神明或更高力量祈求保佑或協助的禱詞

a spoken or sung appeal made to a god, saint, or higher power, often opening a religious service or public ceremony.

例句

The ceremony began with a quiet invocation to the goddess of the harvest.

典禮以一段安靜的祈禱開始，向豐收女神祈求賜福。

invocation to + named deity

Hyun offered a brief invocation before the family ate the New Year meal together.

全家圍坐共享年夜飯之前，Hyun 先做了簡短的祝禱。

offer + an invocation (collocation)

同義詞
  • prayer

    broader; any address to a god, not only as a ceremony opener

  • supplication

    very formal; emphasises humility and begging

  • blessing

    the spoken gift itself, often the answer to an invocation

反義詞
  • benediction

    the closing prayer of a ceremony, as opposed to the opening invocation

文法句型

invocation to [god/saint]

invocation for [blessing/guidance]

用法筆記

Frequently the opening item in a ceremony's printed programme. Distinguish from sense 4: this sense asks a divine power for blessing or help; sense 4 uses ritual words to summon a spirit, often a dark one.

常見錯誤

❌She gave an invocation to her boss for a raise.
✅She asked her boss for a raise.
💡sense 2 is for prayers to a deity or higher power, not workplace requests.

3. a deliberate effort, often in writing or speech, that stirs up a specific emotio

3.名詞C2
釋義

喚起；勾起

在文字或言談中刻意喚起某種情感或回憶

a deliberate effort, often in writing or speech, that stirs up a specific emotion in the listener or brings back a vivid memory.

例句

Lucía's poem is a tender invocation of her grandmother's kitchen on Sunday mornings.

Lucía 那首詩溫柔地勾起了她對外婆週日清晨廚房的記憶。

invocation of + remembered place or scene

The novel's invocation of childhood summers had many readers calling their old friends.

這本小說對童年夏日的喚起，讓許多讀者忍不住打電話給昔日好友。

literary use: invocation of + nostalgic period

同義詞
  • evocation

    near synonym; slightly more common in criticism for this exact sense

  • recall

    less artful; suggests plain remembering rather than skilled stirring

文法句型

invocation of [emotion/memory/era]

用法筆記

Common in literary, film, and music criticism. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense reaches for feelings or memories, while sense 1 reaches for rules or principles to justify a position.

4. a fixed set of magical words spoken aloud to call up a spirit, demon, or superna

4.名詞C2
釋義

咒語；召喚詞

用以召喚靈體或惡魔的固定咒語

a fixed set of magical words spoken aloud to call up a spirit, demon, or supernatural being.

例句

In the old story, the witch recited her invocation by candlelight to call the river spirit.

在那則古老故事裡，女巫在燭光下唸誦咒語，召喚出河中的精靈。

recite + an invocation (collocation); magical register

Nala's grandmother warned the children never to repeat the dark invocation written on the page.

Nala 的外婆警告孩子們，那頁上寫的黑暗咒語絕對不能複誦。

同義詞
  • incantation

    near synonym; arguably even more common in fantasy writing

  • spell

    broader; can include silent gestures, not only spoken words

  • conjuration

    emphasises the act of calling forth, more than the words themselves

反義詞
  • banishment

    the ritual that sends a summoned spirit away

文法句型

recite/perform/use an invocation

用法筆記

Mostly found in folklore, fantasy fiction, and writing about historical magic or witchcraft. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense calls a spirit using ritual words, while sense 2 asks a god for blessing or help.