conjure
pronunciation
How to pronounce conjure in British English:
UK [ˈkʌndʒə(r)]
How to pronounce conjure in American English:
US [ˈkʌndʒər]
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- Verb:
- evoke or call forth, with or as if by magic
- ask for or request earnestly
- engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
Word Origin
- conjure (v.)
- late 13c., "command on oath," from Old French conjurer "invoke, conjure" (12c.), from Latin coniurare "to swear together; conspire," from com- "together" (see com-) + iurare "to swear" (see jury (n.)). Magical sense is c. 1300, for "constraining by spell" a demon to do one's bidding. Related: Conjured; conjuring. Phrase conjure up "cause to appear in the mind" (as if by magic) attested from 1580s.
Example
- 1. Who would bet against a central bank that can conjure money from thin air ?
- 2. After five hours I 've managed to conjure a headache and a stain on the carpet .
- 3. Mages can even conjure food and drink to help everyone recover faster from battle .
- 4. Think of flamenco and you conjure up guitars and passion .
- 5. His wife can conjure up a good meal in half an hour .