ə̇ˈvōk, ēˈ- transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French évoquer, from Latin evocare, from e- + vocare to call — more at vocation
1.
a. : to call forth or up (a spirit or other supernatural being) : summon
the people avoid mentioning the names of the gods, because … to name them is to evoke them — J.G.Frazer
controls his demons largely through ritual which can both evoke and propitiate them — Francis Huxley
b. : to cite especially with approval or for support : invoke
a list of qualities which men in more religious days evoked with familiar approval, but some of which have grown pale — C.W.deKiewiet
the name of Socrates is not one that would ordinarily be evoked by a defender of artists — Times Literary Supplement
2.
a. : to call forth (a response) : elicit
his action evoked official displeasure
that remark evoked nothing, not even curiousity — Clarissa F. Cushman
b. : to call into being : cause to arise
these exigencies evoked a university in Bologna, Paris, and Oxford — H.O.Taylor
advertising created modern American radio …, evoked the modern slick periodical — D.M.Potter
c. : to call up (memories, recollections, associations)
the place evokes memories of happier years
all of them evoking historical and literary associations of worldwide fame — Sam Pollock
3. : to re-create, depict, or suggest by artistic imaginative means especially in such a manner as to produce a compelling impression of reality : bring to life
the opening chapters of the book, although they contain very few descriptive passages, evoke the place marvelously — Basil Taylor
the sights, the sounds, the smells of Spain are evoked with a vividness that has a physical impact — Harriet de Onís
to evoke Lincoln the man in marble and bronze was not an easy task for any sculptor — R.P.Basler
Synonyms: see educe