Conjure
In Southern and Appalachian folk speech, "conjure" means to cast a spell, hex, or perform folk magic - distinct from the mainstream "conjure up an idea" sense.
synonyms: hex, bewitch, hoodoo, put a spell on
Hillbilly Dude Says...
In my experience, if somebody is 'conjurin',' it's time for me to git. This is a common use of this word around here. Hillbilly Dude Says...
In my experience, if somebody is 'conjurin',' it's time for me to git. This is a common use of this word around here. Pronunciation
[CON-jur] /ˈkɒn.dʒɚ/
Meaning & Usage
- To cast a spell or hex (verb)
Elmer:
Don’t let her get your picture - she’ll conjure somethin' up you don't want.
Don’t let her get your picture - she’ll conjure somethin' up you don't want.
Estel:
I’ll keep it hidden.
I’ll keep it hidden.variations: conjured, conjuring, conjure doctor, conjure woman
★ This sense of "conjure" survives mainly in Southern and Appalachian folk traditions - think "conjure doctor" or "conjure woman" - not just "imagine" or "summon." ★
Origin and Etymology
From Middle English via Old French "conjurer" ("invoke, cast a spell"). In Southern and Appalachian English it took on a strong folk-magic meaning, documented in oral histories and folklore collections across the South.
Usage Notes
- Distinct from mainstream "conjure up" meaning "imagine" or "evoke."
- Common in ghost stories, hex warnings, and folk medicine traditions in the South and Appalachia.
- Often associated with "hoodoo," "rootwork," or "witchcraft."
- Preserved as a living term in regional speech while fading elsewhere.