v. [ad. F. convoquer (14th c. in Littré), ad. L. convocāre to call together; f. con- together + vocāre to call.]
trans. To call together, summon to assemble; to assemble or bring together by summons.
1598. Florio, Conuocare, to conuoke or call togither.
1626. trans. Boccalini’s New-f. Polit., 84 (T.). The queen of Italy … having convoked all her princes.
1769. Robertson, Chas. V., VI. VI. 85. The pope continued his negociations for convoking a general council.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), I. iv. 210. For five years afterwards the queen did not convoke parliament.
1845. S. Austin, Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 207. In order to carry on the war, he was obliged to convoke the States anew.
fig. 1805. Wordsw., Prelude, XI. 153. I thus convoked From every object pleasant circumstance To suit my ends.
Hence Convoker, Convoking vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. 153. Such of our monarchs as were enclined to govern without parliaments, neglected the convoking them … under pretence that there was no need of them.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, III. 282. Through the land Meantime the King’s convoking voice went forth.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 270. The law was that not more than three years should pass between the dissolving of one parliament and the convoking of another.
