hocus
[hoh-kuh s]
verb (used with object), ho·cused, ho·cus·ing or (especially British) ho·cussed, ho·cus·sing.
to play a trick on; hoax; cheat.
to stupefy with drugged liquor.
to drug (liquor).
Origin of hocus
First recorded in 1665–75; short for hocus-pocus
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for hocus
abracadabra, mystification, nonsense, hoax, incantation, cant, artifice, jargon, cheating, deception, trickery, imposture, delusion, spell, flimflam, chicanery, charm, deceit, swindle, humbugExamples from the Web for hocus
Contemporary Examples of hocus
So how did 18-year-old Jason Marsden get cast as the voice of a talking cat in Hocus Pocus?
Finally, in the spirit of Hocus Pocus, what are your Halloween plans this year?
Historical Examples of hocus
Hocus loved her best, believing her to be his own, got upon the body of Mrs. Bull.
The History of John BullJohn Arbuthnot
In his most impressive style he undertook to administer a solemn rebuke for the use of such words as jockey and hocus.
Lord Randolph ChurchillWinston Spencer Churchill
Hocus pocus, gipsy words of magic, similar to the modern presto fly.
The Slang DictionaryJohn Camden Hotten
A good swinging sum of John's readiest cash went towards building of Hocus's country house.
The History of John BullJohn Arbuthnot
This has been Hocus's constant language, and I am sure he has had obligations enough to us to have acted another part.
The History of John BullJohn Arbuthnot
hocus
verb -cuses, -cusing, -cused, -cuses, -cussing or -cussed (tr) rare
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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