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

The high priest… said… I adjure thee by the living God, that tell us whether thou be the Christ.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah

I solemnly adjure you to drop this idea.

From The Red Room by Strindberg, August

"I adjure you to consider what you are saying, and the possible consequences of such a promise!"

From Too Rich A Romance by Streckfuss, Adolph

I adjure you, in the name of the friendship you have up to this moment shown me, to explain yourself clearly.

From The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2 or The Foundation of the French Republic, A Tale of The French Revolution by Sue, Eug?ne