invocative

The priest uses an invocative prayer during the ceremony.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or serving as an invocation: "invocative" describes something that calls upon or appeals to a higher power, spirit, or authority, often in a formal or ritualistic manner. It is synonymous with "invocatory" and is used to characterize speech, gestures, or texts that are intended to summon or request aid.

Usage Examples

• (The prayer served as an invocation.)
• (Her words functioned as a call to a higher power.)
• (The poem has a quality of calling upon something.)

Advanced Usage

• "Invocative gesture": a physical motion or posture that is part of an invocation.

  • The shaman raised his arms in an invocative gesture toward the sky. (The gesture was designed to call upon spirits.)

• "Invocative language": words or phrasing specifically chosen to appeal to or summon a deity or force.

  • The ritual used invocative language to entreat the god of rain. (The language was intended to invoke.)

Variants and Related Words

• Invocation (n): the act of calling upon a deity, spirit, or authority.

  • The ceremony began with an invocation to the sun god. (A formal call for assistance.)

• Invocatory (adj): having the quality of an invocation; synonymous with "invocative."

  • The invocatory chant was repeated three times. (The chant served as an invocation.)

• Invoke (v): to call upon (a deity, spirit, etc.) in prayer or as a witness.

  • She invoked the names of the saints. (She called upon them.)

Synonyms

• Appealing: making a serious or urgent request.
• Supplicatory: expressing a humble plea or prayer.
• Prayerful: characterized by or expressing prayer.

Related Idioms

• Call upon: to invoke or appeal to someone or something.

  • The villagers called upon the spirits for a good harvest. (They invoked the spirits.)

• Cry out to: to make a loud plea or invocation.

  • He cried out to the heavens for mercy. (He invoked the heavens.)