conjuration

noun — 4 senses

conjuration

noun

/ˌkʌnd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/ · /ˌkɒnd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/

Etymology From Middle English conjuracioun, from Middle French conjuration, from Old French conjuracion, from Latin coniuratio (“a swearing together, a conspiracy”).

1

Conjuring, legerdemain or magic.

  • Pretended conjurations and prophecies of that event.1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC:
  • How nicely we could manage without the said railway, now the great hobby of our Teviotdale lairds, if we could by any process of conjuration waft to Abbotsford some of the coal and lime from Lochore...1951 February, Michael Robbins, “Sir Walter Scott and Two Early Railway Schemes”, in Railway Magazine, page 90, words written by Scott:
2

A magic trick.

3

Obsolete The act of calling or summoning by a sacred name, or in solemn manner, or binding by an oath; an earnest entreaty; adjuration.

  • We charge you, in the name of God, take heed; […] Under this conjuration speak, my lord.1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii]:
  • An earneſt Coniuration from the King, / As England was his faithfull Tributaryc. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 259, column 2:
4

Obsolete A league for a criminal purpose; conspiracy.

  • The conjuration of Catiline.1531, Thomas Elyot, The Boke Named the Governour […], London: […] Tho[mas] Bertheleti, →OCLC:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.