hocus

verb

ho·​cus ˈhō-kəs How to pronounce hocus (audio)
hocussed or hocused; hocussing or hocusing

transitive verb

1
: to perpetrate a trick or hoax on : deceive
2
: to befuddle often with drugged liquor
also : dope, drug
hocussed the favorite before the race

Word History

Etymology

obsolete hocus, noun, short for hocus-pocus

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hocus was in 1675

Phrases Containing hocus

Dictionary Entries Near hocus

hocs

hocus

hocus-pocus

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hocus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hocus. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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