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conjure


con·jure

verb
\vt 2 & vi senses ˈkän-jər also ˈkən-; vt 1 kən-ˈjr\
con·juredcon·jur·ing\ˈkänj-riŋ, ˈkän-jə-, ˈkənj-, ˈkən-jə-; kən-ˈjr-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

Other Occult Terms

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

Rhymes with CONJURE

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