conjuration

[kon-juh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of calling on or invoking a sacred name.

2. an incantation; magical charm.

3. supernatural accomplishment by invocation or spell.

4. the practice of legerdemain.

5. supplication; solemn entreaty.

conjuration

/ ˌkɒndʒʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. a magic spell; incantation

2. a less common word for conjuring

3. archaic,  supplication; entreaty

Word History and Origins

Origin of conjuration¹

1350–1400; Middle English conjuracio ( u ) n (< Anglo-French ) < Latin conjūrātiōn- (stem of conjūrātiō ), equivalent to conjūrāt ( us ), past participle of conjūrāre to swear together ( con- con- + jūr- (stem of jūs ) right, justice, duty + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

But in “The Tempest,” Shakespeare takes this proposition a step further, directly equating the ephemeral conjurations of the theater with the transient reality of the audience.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s an inward-looking musical conjuration of a city that’s partially vanished — to refugee outflows, to military curfews — and a city that is still, defiantly, standing.

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A cracking whip and a thudding bass drum bring this sublime conjuration to an end.

Read more on The New Yorker

However, according to Section 365 of Canada's Criminal Code, it is illegal to "fraudulently pretend to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration".

Read more on BBC

He stopped and looked at me like he’s puzzling, then said, “I’m going to have to do some more contemplating over this. On the one hand this might be an act of conjuration.”

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Related Words

• appeal 
• beauty 
• charisma 
• glamour 
• grace 
• magic