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

Since thou has bared thy fell intent to us I, loving thee, and helping in their need Man's laws, adjure thee, dream not of this deed!

From Medea of Euripedes by Euripedes

I adjure thee by God, torment me not.

From A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ Based on the Broadus Harmony in the Revised Version by Robertson, Archibald Thomas

I speak to thee, the sophist, the talker-down Of scorn by scorn, the sinner against gods, The reverencer of men, the thief of fire,— I speak to thee and adjure thee!

From The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Vol. I by Browning, Elizabeth Barrett

Exorcise, eks′or-sīz, or eks-or′-, v.t. to adjure by some holy name: to call forth or drive away, as a spirit: to deliver from the influence of an evil spirit.—ns.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various