hex

¹

[ heks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bewitch; practice witchcraft on:

   He was accused of hexing his neighbors' cows because they suddenly stopped giving milk.

noun

1. spell; charm:

   With all this rain, somebody must have put a hex on our picnic.

2. a witch.

hex

²

[ heks ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. hexagonal:

   a bolt with a matching washer and hex nut.

2. hexadecimal ( def 1 ).

hex.

³

abbreviation for

1. hexagon
2. hexagonal.

hex

¹

/ hɛks /

noun

1. 1. short for hexadecimal
   2. ( as modifier )

      hex code

hex

²

/ hɛks /

verb

1. tr to bewitch

noun

1. an evil spell or symbol of bad luck
2. a witch

Derived Forms

• ˈhexer, noun

Other Words From

• hexer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hex¹

1820–30; < German Hexe witch; hag ¹

Origin of hex²

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of hex¹

C19: via Pennsylvania Dutch from German Hexe witch, from Middle High German hecse, perhaps from Old High German hagzissa; see hag ¹

Example Sentences

With the power of Stevie Wonder, a hex has been put on a chair of the rival fan.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile, crowds roared for Jonah Hex, which completely bombed when it was released last month.

From The Daily Beast

Theyre Lancaster Dutch, recently imported, and they believe in the hex signs they painted on the barn.

From Project Gutenberg

We could give one to ev'ry man, woman an' child in Faraway an' hex enough left t'fill an acre lot.

From Project Gutenberg

Close to the camp, this ridge was cut by a small stream (Hex River) running through a stony gorge.

From Project Gutenberg

The hex of the white feather—I can hardly believe that I have at last tracked it down.

From Project Gutenberg

She remained standing in the room, watching me, her face pale, and hex eyes pained and puzzled.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• jinx
• whammy