Middle English Dictionary Entry
conjūrāciǒun n.
Entry Info
| Forms | conjūrāciǒun n. |
| Etymology | L & OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An urgent appeal or request.
Associated quotations
- ?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309)2636 : Cuthbert gretely was astonyd Of hir coniuracioun..he walde noȝt Tell hir [etc.].
2.
(a) The invocation of spirits, conjuration; a formula used to expell devils; (b) a magic spell or charm.
Associated quotations
a
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13216 : Of Nigromansy ynogh nothing hom lakked; The craft of coniuracioun þo cumly did vse.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 103)132/1 : An-oþer inche is wyche-craft, charmys, experimentys, coniuracyouns, & to rayse þe feend.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)73.276 (v.2:p.53) : The preste .. went from hir into the vestiarie and fett forth a boke wherin weren coniuacions for spiritis.
- (a1460) Bokenham Sts. (Adv Abbotsford B3)73.276 (v.2:p.53) : Whan the preste had redde the coniuracions which weren in the boke .., it availed not.
b
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.603 : Thilke horrible sweryng of adiuracioun and coniuracioun, as doon thise false enchauntours or nygromanciens..in a cercle or in a fir.
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)150/5 : As this ȝonge disciple began for to reede coniuraciouns there come a-fore hym a grete multitude of blak deuelles.
3.
The action of plotting on oath; a conspiracy.
Associated quotations
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Jer.11.10 : Ther is founde coniuracioun [WB(2): sweryng togidere] in the men of Juda.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)1.pr.4.203 : Canyus..was accused..that he was knowynge..of a conjuracioun ymaked ayens hym.
- ?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson)2.pr.6.61 : A conjuracioun, which I clepe a confederacye, that was cast ayens this tyraunt.
- c1425 Bible SNT(1) (Cmb Dd.12.39)Deeds 23.13 : Þo Iewes..made a vowe amonge hem..þei wore mo þanne fourety men þat made þis coniuracyone ande þis oþe.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)1.1072 : He made a maner coniuracioun..and a conspiracie..His..power for to multeplie.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)6.3035 : Catalyne Made with othir a coniuracioun Ageyn fraunchises & fredam of the toun.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)8.2609 : Be a sodeyn coniuraceoun He moordred was.
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)314/24 : Þai..war convicte of coniuracion.