Conjure
Doug asked about the
word conjure. It is usually joined with the word up, and it bears the meaning, “to bring to mind” (that
song conjures up memories of 1964).
When joined with the word with,
it means “something considered important” (Bush is a name to be conjured
with in the political arena). It
was once associated with magicians and their sleight of hand, but that is now
considered a bit old-fashioned.
Over the centuries, the
word has gone through many meanings. It came from the Latin words con (together) and iurare (to swear), and it meant “to make a pact by
oath.” That took on undertones of conspiracy at one point, and that could get
you arrested.
If you constrained a
person to action by appealing to something considered sacred, you were conjuring.
Conversely, if you called upon an evil spirit to do your bidding, you were
conjuring. An equal opportunity enterprise.
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Listen to Mike’s
program in real time every Tuesday morning, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. EST, by going to
wtcmradio.com and clicking on Listen Now.
There is a collection of
podcasts. Go to wtcmradio.com and click on Podcasts. Scroll down The Ron Jolly Show to find the Words to the Wise audio
button.
Comments