con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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noun

conjuration

kahn-juh-RAY-shun/ˌkɑndʒəˈreɪʃən/

The making of something appear through magic or illusion.

The magician's conjuration produces a white dove from an apparently empty hat.

Stage magician summons white dove from empty top hat, surprised adult audience, no supernatural claims.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+jurLatinswear or take an oath

+ationLatinan action, process, or result

The base means “swear together,” but the magical sense involves invoking supernatural powers by a sacred name. Such invocation supplies the connection between oath-taking and calling something forth by magic.

More examples

The audience applauds the conjuration of a rabbit from an empty hat.
The wizard's conjuration produces a doorway in the stone wall.
We watch several conjurations, trying to spot the magician's tricks.

Forms

conjuration · conjurations

conjure verb — Make something appear by magic or illusion.

Similar words

illusion: Emphasizes a misleading appearance rather than the act producing it.
summoning: Emphasizes calling a being or spirit into one's presence.
magic: Covers supernatural powers and tricks, not just making things appear.