To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath

Question

adjure (tr. v.)1. To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath: "adjuring her in the name of God to declare the truth" (Increase Mather).[Am. Heri. Dic.]adjure (tr. v.)1 : to command solemnly under or as if under oath or penalty of a curse[M-W's Col. Dic.]Should I interpret the above definition as: To command or enjoin solemnly, say, someone to tell something, as if she/he is under oath?What is penalty of curse? Perhaps, when you lie in the name of God you would be cursed and that's what penalty of curse is. By the way, is "in the name of God" also an oath? I have always it is more of an expression which is used to implore someone.Please help me with the above queries. Thanks.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,
adjure (tr. v.)
1. To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath: "adjuring her in the name of *** to declare the truth" (Increase Mather).
[Am. Heri. Dic.]

adjure (tr. v.)
1 : to command solemnly under or as if under oath or penalty of a curse
[M-W's Col. Dic.]

Should I interpret the above definition as: To command or enjoin solemnly, say, someone to tell something, as if she/he is under oath? Yes. But not necessarily 'to tell'. You can adjure someone to tell or not to tell, to do or not to do.

What is penalty of curse? Perhaps, when you lie in the name of *** you would be cursed and that's what penalty of curse is. The idea is 'If you lie, the penalty will be that you will be cursed'.

By the way, is "in the name of ***" also an oath? I have always it is more of an expression which is used to implore someone. If I do something in the name of ***, it means that I say I have ***'s authority to do it.
eg 'I'm calling you in the name of my boss' means I am speaking with his authority.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

Thanks a lot, Clive.

CliveThe idea is 'If you lie, the penalty will be that you will be cursed'.

Cursed by who? Some supernatural being? Please let me know.

CliveIf I do something in the name of ***, it means that I say I have ***'s authority to do it.

I think "in the name of ***" is simply a figurative (is it figurative?) expression because *** doesn't speak to humans Himself directly (at least this is my understanding!

). And you are supposed to use this expression when you are imploring someone to do something good. I mean you cannot say something like 'In the name of *** I ask you to kill all these people', or can you!

Clive · Answer

Hi,

Clive
"The idea is 'If you lie, the penalty will be that you will be cursed'."

Cursed by who? Some supernatural being? Please let me know. Yes. Usually ***.

Clive
"If I do something in the name of ***, it means that I say I have ***'s authority to do it. "

I think "in the name of ***" is simply a figurative (is it figurative?) expression because *** doesn't speak to humans Himself directly (at least this is my understanding!

).The expression is commonly used figuratively. But some people claim to speak in the name of ***. eg The Pope.

And you are supposed to use this expression when you are imploring someone to do something good. I mean you cannot say something like 'In the name of *** I ask you to kill all these people', or can you!

Back in history, the Catholic church ordered the Crusades, which involved much killing. And today, many terrorist groups seem to claim to be acting by ***'s will.

Clive

Jackson6612 · Answer

CliveI think "in the name of ***" is simply a figurative (is it figurative?) expression because *** doesn't speak to humans Himself directly (at least this is my understanding! ). The expression is commonly usedfiguratively.

figurative
1 a : representing by a figure or resemblance : EMBLEMATIC b : of or relating to representation of form or figure in art figurative sculpture
2 a : expressing one thing in terms normally denoting another with which it may be regarded as analogous : METAPHORICAL figurative language* b : characterized by figures of speech *a figurative description
[M-W's Col. Dic]

Would you please tell me which definition fits in the above context? 2a?

Thanks a lot for always guiding and teaching me with all this stuff. It is very kind of you. I'm highly indebted to you for all this.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

#2.

Buy me a beer next time you see me, OK?

Clive

To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath

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