[f. CONJURE v. + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CONJURE.
† 1. Conspiring. Obs.
1589. Warner, Alb. Eng., VI. xxix. 143. Nor other than confusion to their still coniuring fell.
2. Solemn appeal; adjuration.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 17807 (Cott.). We þam sal thoru coniuring, Do tell us of his uprising.
1659. Gauden, Tears Ch., 132. These pious and pathetick conjurings, these divine prayings, and charitable beseechings.
3. Magical invocation; working of magic, performance of conjurer’s tricks. Also fig.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 345. Whiles he made conjuryng, Scheo saw … a dragon adoun lyght.
1556. Chron. Gr. Friars (1852), 63. There stode be-fore hym one that dwellyd in Charterus lane wyth a screpture on hys brest for coungerynge.
1577. trans. Bullinger’s Decades (1592), 128. In coniuring, iugling, or sorcerie.
1727. De Foe, Syst. Magic, I. ii. (1840), 55. What manour of conjurings or enchantments they were that they made use of.
1869. J. Martineau, Ess., II. 6. The boldest feats of verbal conjuring.
1886. Garenne (title), Art of Modern Conjuring, Magic, and Illusions.
b. attrib.
1552. Huloet, Coniurynge stycke whych coniurers and sorcerers do vse in raysynge spirites.
1567. Roper, in Grindal’s Rem. (1843), 211. To minister in those conjuring garments of popery.
1655. Fuller, Hist. Camb. (1840), 153. Saw his conjuring books burned before his face.
1713. Swift, On Himself. Clowns on scholars as on wizards look, And take a folio for a conj’ring book.
