conjuration

[kon-juh-rey-shuh n]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR conjuration ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act of calling on or invoking a sacred name.

an incantation; magical charm.

supernatural accomplishment by invocation or spell.

the practice of legerdemain.

supplication; solemn entreaty.

Origin of conjuration

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 -ate¹) + -iōn- -ion

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for conjuration

hymn, enchantment, hex, chicanery, deception, trickery, magic, beauty, glamour, charisma, appeal, grace, jinx, whammy, hocus-pocus, abracadabra, necromancy, chant, hoodoo, witchcraft

Examples from the Web for conjuration

Historical Examples of conjuration

He answered that he was forced to it by conjuration and maledictions.
The Phantom World
Augustin Calmet
The conjuration which they had been anxiously seeking was found.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume I.(of III) 1555-66
John Lothrop Motley
I do not half like the state of things, and this conjuration about the bees may all fall through.
Oak Openings
James Fenimore Cooper
Pietro Bramante's conjuration was, if as inexplicable as ever, of the Archduchess.
The Mercenary
W. J. Eccott
The usual preparations for this conjuration were immediately made.
Last of the Incas
Gustave Aimard

British Dictionary definitions for conjuration

conjuration

noun

a magic spell; incantation

a less common word for conjuring

archaic supplication; entreaty

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for conjuration

late 14c., coniuracioun, "conspiracy" (now obsolete), also "a calling upon something supernatural," from Old French conjuracion "spell, incantation, formula used in exorcism," from Latin coniurationem (nominative coniuratio) "a swearing together, conspiracy," noun of action from coniurare (see conjure).