hocus

[hoh-kuhs]

verb (used with object)

hocused, hocusing , hocussed, hocussing .

1. to play a trick on; hoax; cheat.

2. to stupefy with drugged liquor.

3. to drug (liquor).

hocus

/ ˈhəʊkəs /

verb

1. to take in; trick

2. to stupefy, esp with a drug

3. to add a drug to (a drink)

Word History and Origins

Origin of hocus¹

First recorded in 1665–75; short for hocus-pocus

Example Sentences

Despite the resemblance to Bette Midler’s Winifred Sanderson from “Hocus Pocus,” Monsoon says Maestro’s hair design was not an intentional homage.

From Seattle Times

Does it get any more generic than that?” the “Hocus Pocus” star joked.

From Los Angeles Times

Curtis spoke about the possibility of a sequel to the Disney film on the heels of Disney+ releasing a sequel to “Hocus Pocus” nearly 30 years later.

From Los Angeles Times

Among those that will be disappearing are messages such as “Use Yah Blinkah” in Massachusetts; “Visiting in-laws? Slow down, get there late,” from Ohio; “Don’t drive Star Spangled Hammered,” from Pennsylvania; “Hocus pocus, drive with focus” from New Jersey; and “Hands on the wheel, not your meal” from Arizona.

From Seattle Times

In Bellevue, two family-friendly events round out the city’s Movies in the Park season: The 1989 sequel “Back to the Future, Part II” screens on Aug. 22, followed by “Hocus Pocus,” reminding us that it’s never too early to start thinking about Halloween, on Aug. 24.

From Seattle Times