What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Conjure vs Pray - What's the difference?

conjure | pray |

As verbs the difference between conjure and pray

is that conjure is to perform magic tricks while pray is to petition or solicit help from a supernatural or higher being.

As a noun conjure

is a practice of magic; hoodoo; conjuration.

As an adverb pray is

please; used to make a polite request.

conjure

English

Verb

(conjur)
  • To perform magic tricks.
  • To summon up using supernatural power, as a devil
  • To practice black magic.
  • To evoke.
  • To imagine or picture in the mind.
  • To make an urgent request to; to appeal to or beseech.
  • * Addison
    • I conjure you, let him know, / Whate'er was done against him, Cato did it.
  • * 1851 , Herman Melville, Moby-Dick :
    • Stammering out something, I knew not what, I rolled away from him against the wall, and then conjured him, whoever or whatever he might be, to keep quiet, and let me get up and light the lamp again.
  • (obsolete) To conspire or plot.
  • * Milton
    • Drew after him the third part of Heaven's sons / Conjured against the Highest.

    Noun

    (-)
  • (African American Vernacular English) A practice of magic; hoodoo; conjuration.

    • Derived terms

    * conjurer / conjuror * conjure up * conjure with * name to conjure with

    Related terms

    * conjuration ----

    pray

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To petition or solicit help from a supernatural or higher being.
    • Muslims pray in the direction of Mecca.
  • To humbly beg a person for aid or their time.
  • (religion) to communicate with God for any reason.
  • (obsolete) To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication; to entreat for.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I know not how to pray your patience.

    Derived terms

    * prayer * pray in aid

    Adverb

    (-)
  • please; used to make a polite request.
    • pray silence for…
  • * 1816 , (Jane Austen), , Volume 1 Chapter 8
    • "Pray , Mr. Knightley," said Emma, who had been smiling to herself through a great part of this speech, "how do you know that Mr. Martin did not speak yesterday?"
  • * Charles Dickens, , 1841:
    • Pray''' don’t ask me why, '''pray''' don’t be sorry, '''pray don’t be vexed with me!
  • * Frederick Marryat, , 1845:
    • Well, Major, pray tell us your adventures, for you have frightened us dreadfully.
  • * 1892 , (Arthur Conan Doyle),
    • Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue your most interesting statement.
  • * 2013 , Martina Hyde, Is the pope Catholic?'' (in ''The Guardian , 20 September 2013)[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/sep/20/is-pope-catholic-atheists-gay-people-abortion]
    • He is a South American, so perhaps revolutionary spirit courses through Francis's veins. But what, pray , does the Catholic church want with doubt?