[in.vo.ca.tion] n [ME invocacioun, fr. MF invocation, fr. L invocation-, invocatio, fr. invocare] (14c) 1 a: the act or process of petitioning for help or support; specif, often cap: a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship) b: a calling upon for authority or justification
2: a formula for conjuring: incantation
3: an act of legal or moral implementation: enforcement -- in.vo.ca.tion.al adj -- in.voc.a.to.ry adj