to invoke
1. to call upon or appeal to (a deity, spirit, or authority) for help, support, or inspiration
The priest invoked the blessing of God.
O padre invocou a bênção de Deus.
2. to cite or appeal to (a law, principle, or precedent) as a reason or justification
The defendant invoked the Fifth Amendment.
O réu invocou a Quinta Emenda.
3. to bring about or cause to appear (a spirit, ghost, or supernatural being) through ritual or magic
The sorcerer invoked a demon through dark rituals.
O feiticeiro invocou um demônio através de rituais sombrios.
4. to mention or reference something as support for an argument
She invoked her experience as evidence.
Ela invocou sua experiência como evidência.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'invocar' is commonly used in legal, religious, and formal contexts. It carries weight in judicial proceedings where lawyers invoke laws or precedents. In religious contexts, particularly in Catholicism and Spiritualism, invoking saints or divine protection is a culturally significant practice. The word maintains the same formal register in Portugal, though with perhaps greater frequency in ecclesiastical contexts.
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