adjuration

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an earnest appeal, solemn command, or urgent entreaty

   Her final adjuration urged the council to protect the refugees before winter.

2. 2
   noun

   the act of binding someone by a solemn oath, or the oath so imposed

   The witness answered only after the judge's formal adjuration.

From Latin adiuratio, 'an adjuring or putting under oath,' from adiurare, 'to swear to, entreat solemnly,' formed from ad- ('to') + iurare ('swear'), itself from ius, iuris ('law, right'). The oath-bound sense gave rise to the broader idea of a grave command or appeal.

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