hocus

American  

[hoh-kuhs] / ˈhoʊ kəs /

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).

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hocus British  

/ ˈhəʊkəs /

verb

1. to take in; trick

2. to stupefy, esp with a drug

3. to add a drug to (a drink)

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Etymology

Origin of hocus

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

Example Sentences

Dating back to the late 18th century, “hoax” seems to derive from what a conjurer or juggler might say, a truncation of “hocus pocus,” utilized to divert the attention of an audience.

From Salon

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