conjuration

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

• IPA^(key): /ˌkʌnd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/, /ˌkɒnd͡ʒəˈɹeɪʃən/

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conjuration (countable and uncountable, plural conjurations)

1. Conjuring, legerdemain or magic.
   • 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:

     Pretended conjurations and prophecies of that event.

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.
   • 1599, 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]:

     We charge you, in the name of God, take heed; […] Under this conjuration speak, my lord.

   • c. 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:

     An earneſt Coniuration from the King, / As England was his faithfull Tributary

4. (obsolete) A league for a criminal purpose; conspiracy.
   • 1531, Thomas Elyot, Ernest Rhys, editor, The Boke Named the Governour […] (Everyman’s Library), London: J[oseph] M[alaby] Dent & Co; New York, N.Y.: E[dward] P[ayson] Dutton & Co, published [1907], →OCLC:

     The conjuration of Catiline.

Learned borrowing from Latin coniūrātiō (“a swearing together, a conspiracy”).

• IPA^(key): /kɔ̃.ʒy.ʁa.sjɔ̃/

conjuration f (plural conjurations)

1. conspiracy

   Synonym: conspiration

• “conjuration”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.