conjure

con·jure

verb \vt 2 & vi senses ˈkän-jər also ˈkən-; vt 1 kən-ˈju̇r\

con·juredcon·jur·ing \ˈkänj-riŋ, ˈkän-jə-, ˈkənj-, ˈkən-jə-; kən-ˈju̇r-iŋ\

Definition of CONJURE

transitive verb

1

: to charge or entreat earnestly or solemnly

2

a : to summon by or as if by invocation or incantation

b (1) : to affect or effect by or as if by magic (2) : imagine, contrive —often used with up <we conjure up our own metaphors for our own needs — R. J. Kaufmann> (3) : to bring to mind <words that conjure pleasant images> —often used with up <conjure up memories>

intransitive verb

1

a : to summon a devil or spirit by invocation or incantation

b : to practice magical arts

2

: to use a conjurer's tricks : juggle

— conjure with

chiefly British : to treat or regard as important <Victor Hugo is a name to conjure with — Peter France>

Examples of CONJURE

1. a magician who conjures live doves from silk scarves
2. The students conjured a clever scheme to raise the money they needed.

Origin of CONJURE

Middle English, from Anglo-French conjurer, from Latin conjurare to join in taking an oath, from com- + jurare to swear — more at jury

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to CONJURE

Synonyms

appeal (to), beseech, besiege, beg, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate

Related Words

bludge [chiefly Australian & New Zealand], cadge, mooch, sponge; ask, desire, invoke, request, sue; claim, coerce, command, compel, demand, force, insist, require

Near Antonyms

hint, imply, intimate, suggest; appease, conciliate, gratify, mollify, oblige, pacify, placate, please, satisfy; comfort, console, content, quiet

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

Rhymes with CONJURE

rondure