rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: in-
Latin

in-

in, into, on, upon

Forms

  • in-
  • im- — Used before b, m, or p in Latin.
  • il- — Used before l in Latin.
  • ir- — Used before r in Latin.
  • en- — Developed in French in some words later borrowed into English.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *en, ‘in.’

Note

Identical spellings can hide two different prefixes: this one indicates position or direction, while the other means ‘not.’

298 / 306
At a simple civic hearing table, a petitioner makes a solemn, formal appeal for assistance to a seated official.
noun

invocation

in-vuh-KAY-shun/ˌɪnvəˈkeɪʃn/

A calling upon a power to act or provide support.

Etymology
inLatinin, into, on, upon
+vocLatincall, summon
+ationLatinan action, process, or result

An invocation is literally an act of “calling upon.” Early uses included calling upon a deity for aid or comfort—the same appeal underlying a formal request for help or inspiration.

Full entry

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