conjuration

American  

[kon-juh-rey-shuhn] / ˌkɒn dʒəˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of calling on or invoking a sacred name.

2. an incantation; magical charm.

3. supernatural accomplishment by invocation or spell.

4. the practice of legerdemain.

5. supplication; solemn entreaty.

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conjuration British  

/ ˌkɒndʒʊˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. a magic spell; incantation

2. a less common word for conjuring

3. archaic  supplication; entreaty

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Etymology

Origin of conjuration

1350–1400; Middle English conjuracio ( u ) n (< Anglo-French ) < Latin conjūrātiōn- (stem of conjūrātiō ), equivalent to conjūrāt ( us ), past participle of conjūrāre to swear together ( con- con- + jūr- (stem of jūs ) right, justice, duty + -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

But in “The Tempest,” Shakespeare takes this proposition a step further, directly equating the ephemeral conjurations of the theater with the transient reality of the audience.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s an inward-looking musical conjuration of a city that’s partially vanished — to refugee outflows, to military curfews — and a city that is still, defiantly, standing.

From New York Times

A cracking whip and a thudding bass drum bring this sublime conjuration to an end.

From The New Yorker

However, according to Section 365 of Canada's Criminal Code, it is illegal to "fraudulently pretend to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration".

From BBC

There is no divine appearance in Kill List, no conjuration, just bleakly absurd acts of extreme aggression, suicidal and murderous all at once.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• appeal
• beauty
• charisma
• glamour
• grace
• magic