adjure

American  

[uh-joor] / əˈdʒʊər /

verb (used with object)

adjured, adjuring

1. to charge, bind, or command earnestly and solemnly, often under oath or the threat of a penalty.

2. to entreat or request earnestly or solemnly.

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adjure British  

/ əˈdʒʊə, ˌædʒʊəˈreɪʃən /

verb

1. to command, often by exacting an oath; charge

2. to appeal earnestly to

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Other Word Forms

• adjuration noun
• adjuratory adjective
• adjurer noun
• adjuror noun

Etymology

Origin of adjure

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word adjūrāre. See ad-, jury ¹

Explanation

The verb adjure is a heavy-duty synonym of the word "ask," with more of a demanding tone. For example, you might have to adjure someone to tell the truth. You get a strong sense of the word adjure when you realize that the jure part is similar to "jury." Both come from the Latin jūrāre "swear," which in turn comes from jūs, jūr- "law" (as in justice and jurist). In 14th-century Middle English, the word suggested someone affirming something by swearing with an oath. So adjure means to command solemnly, as in "She adjured him to present the events precisely as he witnessed them."

Example Sentences

This is because they not only bestow praise; they also adjure the congratulatee to continue the good work�or else.

From Time Magazine Archive

To "adjure" was to call upon a person to speak the truth in the Name of God.

From "Granny's Chapters" (on scriptural subjects) by Ross, Lady Mary

I solemnly adjure you to drop this idea.

From The Red Room by Strindberg, August

At least he would speak to the Emmetts and adjure them to be cautious, for the sake of all concerned.

From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Wingfield, Lewis

I adjure you, by all which a man of honour holds most sacred, to quit England the moment your health will allow you to sail.

From Leonora by Edgeworth, Maria