conjureur

Conjureur is a French noun that refers to a person who conjures, in the sense of performing magic or invoking supernatural powers. In modern usage, the term is relatively rare and tends to appear in literary, historical, or folkloric contexts. For everyday or contemporary settings, French speakers usually use magicien or illusionniste to describe a professional who performs stage magic.

Etymology and sense: Conjureur derives from the verb conjurer, which means to conjure or to invoke. The verb itself comes from Old French conjurer, from Latin coniurare “to swear together, conspire,” with the agent suffix -eur forming the noun. In its magical or occult sense, conjurer can imply evoking spirits or casting spells, and thus the conjureur may be read as a practitioner of such arts in older or fictional texts.

Usage and nuance: The word carries a somewhat archaic or literary flavor in modern French. It can denote a sorcerer, a.k.a. someone who uses conjuring or occult practices, or, in a historical or fantasy setting, a figure akin to a wizard. When the intention is entertainment through sleight of hand, magicien or illusionniste is typically preferred. Conjureur may appear in translations of English texts (where conjurer or conjuror would be used) or in titles and genres dealing with folklore, legends, or medieval-inspired fiction.

See also: conjurer, conjurement, sorcery, magic, illusionniste, prestidigitateur, necromancy.