deviation. 1  the act of deviating. 2  departure from a standard or norm. 3  Statistics. the difference between one of a set of values and some fixed value, usually the mean of the set. 4  Navigation. the error of a magnetic compass, as that of a ship, on a given heading as a result of local magnetism. 5  Optics.
The definition of an invitation is a request for a person's attendance at an event. An example of an invitation is a printed card asking family and friends to come to the sender's wedding. 1  an inviting to come somewhere or do something. 2  the message or note used in inviting.  enticement or allurement.
Word Origin and History for invitation Expand. n. mid-15c., from Latin invitationem (nominative invitatio) an invitation, incitement, challenge, noun of action from past participle stem of invitare invite, treat, entertain, originally be pleasant toward, from in- toward (see in- (2)).