hocus-pocus
[ hoh-kuhs-poh-kuhs ]
/ ˈhoʊ kəsˈpoʊ kəs /
noun
a meaningless chant or expression used in conjuring or incantation.
a juggler's trick; sleight of hand.
trickery; deception.
unnecessarily mysterious or elaborate activity or talk to cover up a deception, magnify a simple purpose, etc.
verb (used with object), ho·cus-po·cused, ho·cus-po·cus·ing or (especially British) ho·cus-po·cussed, ho·cus-po·cus·sing.
to play tricks on or with.
verb (used without object), ho·cus-po·cused, ho·cus-po·cus·ing or (especially British) ho·cus-po·cussed, ho·cus-po·cus·sing.
to perform tricks; practice trickery or deception.
Words nearby hocus-pocus
Origin of hocus-pocus
First recorded in 1615–25; pseudo-Latin rhyming formula used by jugglers and magicians
SYNONYMS FOR hocus-pocus
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
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British Dictionary definitions for hocus-pocus
hocus-pocus
/ (ˈhəʊkəsˈpəʊkəs) /
noun
trickery or chicanery
mystifying jargon
an incantation used by conjurors or magicians when performing tricks
conjuring skill or practice
verb -cuses, -cusing, -cused, -cuses, -cussing or -cussed
to deceive or trick (someone)
Word Origin for hocus-pocus
C17: perhaps a dog-Latin formation invented by jugglers
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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