conjure

[kon-jer, kuhn-, kuhn-joor]

verb (used with object)

conjured, conjuring 

1. to affect or influence by or as if by invocation or spell.

2. to effect, produce, bring, etc., by or as by magic.

   to conjure a miracle.

3. to call upon or command (a devil or spirit) by invocation or spell.

   Synonyms: invoke, raise, summon

4. to call or bring into existence by or as if by magic (usually followed byup ).

   She seemed to have conjured up the person she was talking about.

5. to bring to mind; recall (usually followed byup ).

   to conjure up the past.

6. to appeal to solemnly or earnestly.

   I conjure you to hear my plea.

7. Obsolete.,  to charge solemnly.

verb (used without object)

conjured, conjuring 

1. to call upon or command a devil or spirit by invocation or spell.

2. to practice magic.

3. to practice legerdemain.

4. Obsolete.,  to conspire.

noun

1. Chiefly Southern U.S.,  an act or instance of witchcraft, Hoodoo, or Voodoo, especially a spell.

conjure

/ ˈkʌndʒə /

verb

1. (intr) to practise conjuring or be a conjuror

2. (intr) to call upon supposed supernatural forces by spells and incantations

3. (tr) to appeal earnestly or strongly to

   I conjure you to help me

4. 1. a person thought to have great power or influence

   2. any name that excites the imagination

Other Word Forms

• unconjured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjure¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conj(o)uren, cunjouren, from Anglo-French, Old French conjurer, from Latin conjūrāre “to join in taking an oath, form an alliance, join a plot or conspiracy,” equivalent to con- prefix meaning “with, together” + jūrāre “to take an oath, swear,” derivative of jūr- inflectional stem of jūs “law”; con-, jury ¹, justice

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjure¹

C13: from Old French conjurer to plot, from Latin conjūrāre to swear together, form a conspiracy, from jūrāre to swear

Example Sentences

For some people they can conjure up images of authoritarian states like Germany in the 1930s, and men in jackboots barking "May we see your papers please?"

From BBC

Yet, aside from Harvey Weinstein, it’s difficult to conjure many names in popular culture that actually faced any tangible consequences.

From Salon

Before he could conjure up much of an answer, two of the three main veterans on the team ran interference.

From Los Angeles Times

Redford’s most memorable roles were arguably those that exploited the juxtaposition of the actor’s chiseled, class-president good looks and his ability to conjure up a scarred and hostile psyche.

From Los Angeles Times

He conjured up a world where every family has an Optimus robot capable of grocery shopping, babysitting and watering the plants.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• exorcise 
• invoke 
• summon