# invitation

Pronunciation: say "in-vi-TAY-shuhn" /ɪn.vɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

## Noun

1. A written or spoken message that conveys a request for someone to attend or take part in something.
   - Simple: A written or spoken message that asks someone to come to an event.
   - _The invitation arrived by mail, embossed with gold lettering._
   - _He read the invitation aloud before passing it around the table._
2. The act of asking someone to come to an event or to join in, or of requesting a person's company.
   - Simple: The act of asking someone to come somewhere or join something.
   - _His invitation to join the committee was a gesture of goodwill._
   - _The open invitation to all residents drew a large crowd to the hall._
3. An attraction or enticement that draws one toward a particular action.
   - Simple: Something that tempts or draws you toward doing something.
   - _The empty, open road was an invitation to drive too fast._
   - _His long silence seemed like an invitation for others to speak their minds._
4. In fencing and similar combat, a line deliberately left open to encourage the opponent to attack.
   - Simple: In fighting sports, an opening left on purpose to tempt your opponent into attacking.
   - _She offered an invitation in the high line, baiting a thrust she was ready to parry._
   - _Experienced opponents rarely fall for an obvious invitation._
5. In bridge, a bid signaling to one's partner that game or slam is likely if their hand lies at the strong end of what they have shown.
   - Simple: In the card game bridge, a bid that tells your partner you might win big if their cards are strong.
   - _Holding a balanced fifteen points, he raised to an invitation rather than bidding game outright._
   - _Her partner accepted the invitation and bid the slam._
6. In the Anglican communion service, the brief exhortation that introduces the confession.
   - Simple: In Anglican church services, a short call that leads people into confessing their sins.
   - _The curate's invitation called the faithful to confess their sins with humble hearts._
   - _Following the invitation, the people knelt and confessed in unison._

## Origin

From Middle English invitacioun, from Latin invītātio, reinforced by Middle French invitation. It replaced the native Middle English word lathinge, from Old English laþung.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/invitation (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).