invitation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a tempting allurement

   Their talk of skipping class was an invitation to trouble.

2. 2
   noun

   a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something

   an invitation to lunch

3. 3
   noun

   The act of inviting; solicitation; the requesting of a person's company.

   an invitation to a party, to a dinner, or to visit a friend

4. 4
   noun

   A document or verbal message conveying an invitation.

   We need to print off fifty invitations for the party.

5. 5
   noun

   A bid that tells one's partner that game or slam is likely if their hand is at the strong end of what they have indicated.

   I assume also that opener would have shown no interest in slam by either bidding 4NT or 50 after the slam invitation of 46.

6. 6
   noun

   Allurement; enticement.

7. 7
   noun

   A line that is intentionally left open to encourage the opponent to attack.

8. 8
   noun

   The brief exhortation introducing the confession in the Anglican communion-office.

Etymology

From Middle English invitacioun, ynvytacioun, from Latin invītātio, reinforced by Middle French invitation. By surface analysis, invite + -ation. Displaced native Middle English lathinge from Old English laþung (see dialectal English lathing).