Word To Use Today: conjury.

 The word conjury is, of course, a close relation of the word conjuring. Conjury, however, is much classier, more romantic - and more dangerous.

Conjuring is a clever and amusing trick; conjury is dangerous and serious and almost always used by those of ill intent.

Although conjury can just mean magic, it has a strong sense of changing the essence of things, and, especially, of summoning up unearthly powers.

photo by Sean McGrath

Today the word is rarely used because, mostly, the practice of conjury is now known as economics.

Word To Use Today: conjury. The Old French conjurer means to plot. The Latin conjūrāre means to form a conspiracy. Jūrāre means to swear.