To ask; to request; to bid; to summon; to ask to do some act, or go to some place; esp., to ask to an entertainment or visit; to request the company of; as, to invite to dinner, or a wedding, or an excursion. So many guests invite as here are writ. Shak. I invite his Grace of Castle Rackrent to reflect on this. Carlyle.
To allure; to draw to; to tempt to come; to induce by pleasure or hope; to attract. To inveigle and invite the unwary sense. Milton. Shady groves, that easy sleep invite. Dryden. There no delusive hope invites despair. Cowper.
To give occasion for; as, to invite criticism.
To give invitation. Milton.
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