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invoquer

to invoke, to call upon

verb an-vo-KEH Rare
Communication Speech

Origin: Latin invocare, from in- + vocare ('to call')

Also means

to cite (a law or argument)

Usage Note

Invoquer is used when citing an authority, rule, or deity as justification. In legal writing, invoquer un article de loi ('to invoke a clause of law') is standard. It is more formal than citer; in casual speech people say mentionner or donner comme raison.

Examples

"Il a invoqué son droit au silence."

Natural Translation

He invoked his right to silence.

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