Conjuration

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Conjuration \Con`ju*ra"tion\, n. [L. conjuratio, cf. F.
     conjuration.]
     1. The act of calling or summoning by a sacred name, or in
        solemn manner; the act of binding by an oath; an earnest
        entreaty; adjuration.
        [1913 Webster]


  
              We charge you, in the name of God, take heed; . . .
              Under this conjuration speak, my lord. --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. The act or process of invoking supernatural aid by the use
        of a magical form of words; the practice of magic arts;
        incantation; enchantment.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Pretended conjurations and prophecies of that event.
                                                    --Hallam.
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     3. A league for a criminal purpose; conspiracy. [Obs.] "The
        conjuration of Catiline." --Sir T. Elyot.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  conjuration
       n 1: a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a
            magical effect [syn: {incantation}]
       2: calling up a spirit or devil [syn: {conjuring}, {conjury}, {invocation}]
       3: an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
          [syn: {magic trick}, {conjuring trick}, {trick}, {magic},
          {legerdemain}, {illusion}, {deception}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  26 Moby Thesaurus words for "conjuration":
     abracadabra, charm, conjurement, escamotage, evocation,
     exorcisation, exorcism, exsufflation, hanky-panky, hocus-pocus,
     hokey-pokey, incantation, invocation, jiggery-pokery, jugglery,
     juggling, legerdemain, magic formula, magic words, monkey business,
     mumbo jumbo, open sesame, prestidigitation, rune, sleight of hand,
     trickery
  
  

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  CONJURATION. A swearing together. It signifies a plot, bargain, or compact 
  made by a number of persons under oath, to do some public harm. In times of 
  ignorance, this word was used to signify the personal conference which some 
  persons were supposed to have had with the devil, or some evil spirit, to 
  know any secret, or effect any purpose.