EVOKE

Definition of EVOKE

EVOKE Verb

Evoke is a verb that means to bring or recall a feeling, memory, image, or response to the surface. It involves the act of eliciting or stimulating a reaction or response from someone.

Bringing Forth Emotions or Memories: Evoke refers to the process of bringing forth specific emotions or memories. For example, “The old photograph evoked a sense of nostalgia,” means that the photograph brought back nostalgic feelings.

Stimulating Responses or Reactions: Evoke can describe the act of stimulating a particular response or reaction in someone. For instance, “The film’s powerful soundtrack evoked tears from the audience,” indicates that the soundtrack elicited an emotional response from viewers.

Creating Imagery or Impressions: Evoke is used to describe the creation of imagery or impressions through descriptive language or artistic expression. For example, “The poet’s vivid descriptions evoke images of a serene landscape,” means that the descriptions generate mental images of the landscape.

In Literature and Art: In literary and artistic contexts, evoke often refers to the ability of works to bring out certain feelings or impressions in the audience. For example, “The painting evokes a sense of tranquility and peace,” highlights how the artwork elicits a specific emotional response.

In Psychological and Therapeutic Settings: Evoke can be used in psychological or therapeutic contexts to refer to the process of drawing out feelings or memories to address or understand emotional issues. For example, “The therapist’s questions were designed to evoke deeper insights from the patient,” indicates that the questions aimed to draw out significant reflections.

Impact on Communication and Expression: Evoke plays a role in communication and expression by facilitating the conveyance of emotions, ideas, or experiences. For instance, “Effective storytelling can evoke empathy and understanding in listeners,” demonstrates how storytelling can generate specific responses or connections.

In conclusion, evoke is a verb that describes the act of bringing forth emotions, memories, images, or responses. It involves stimulating or eliciting reactions through various means, such as artistic expression, literature, or communication. Understanding evoke helps in recognizing its role in generating emotional and psychological responses, creating imagery, and influencing interactions.

Examples of EVOKE in a sentence

  • The movie’s soundtrack was designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing in the audience.
  • Her speech was able to evoke strong emotions from the crowd, moving many to tears.
  • The painting’s vivid colors and dramatic composition evoke feelings of intensity and passion.
  • Reading the old letters evoked memories of her childhood summers spent with her grandparents.
  • The novel’s setting evokes a bygone era, transporting readers back to the early 20th century.
  • The scent of freshly baked cookies can evoke comforting memories of home and family.
  • The artist’s use of shadow and light was intended to evoke a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.
  • His words managed to evoke a sense of urgency and importance about the environmental issue.

Origin of EVOKE

The word evoke has its origins in Latin, evolving through Old French before becoming part of Modern English, and it refers to the act of bringing something to mind or eliciting a response.

  • Latin:
    • Evoare (to call forth)
    • The Latin verb evocare means to call out or summon, derived from e- (out) and vocare (to call). It referred to the act of calling forth or bringing something forth.
  • Old French:
    • Evoquer (to call up, bring to mind)
    • In Old French, evoquer carried forward the Latin sense of calling up or summoning, used to describe the act of bringing something to mind or eliciting a response.
  • Middle English:
    • Evoke (to bring to mind, call forth)
    • By Middle English, evoke was used to describe the act of bringing something to mind or eliciting a response, reflecting the sense from Old French and Latin.
  • Modern English:
    • Evoke (to bring forth or elicit)
    • In Modern English, evoke describes the act of bringing something to mind or eliciting a particular response or emotion, maintaining its historical roots.

The term evoke has preserved its core meaning of calling forth or bringing to mind from its Latin origin in evocare, through Old French and Middle English, to its current use in English, where it denotes eliciting responses or memories.

Synonyms

  • Elicit
  • Invoke
  • Summon
  • Arouse
  • Trigger
  • Conjure
  • Recall
  • Provoke

Antonyms

  • Suppress
  • Stifle
  • Repress
  • Ignore
  • Dismiss
  • Silence
  • Quell
  • Subdue

Related

  • Stimulate
  • Awaken
  • Bring forth
  • Call to mind
  • Generate
  • Inspire
  • Induce
  • Manifest

🌐 🇬🇧 EVOKE in other languages

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