Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
hocus [hoh-kuh s] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for hocus on Thesaurus.com 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 Related Words for hocus abracadabra, mystification, nonsense, hoax, incantation, cant, artifice, jargon, cheating, deception, trickery, imposture, delusion, spell, flimflam, chicanery, charm, deceit, swindle, humbug Examples 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?
‘Hocus Pocus’ Turns 20: Meet the Voice Behind Binx the Talking Cat
Kevin Fallon
October 31, 2013
Finally, in the spirit of Hocus Pocus, what are your Halloween plans this year?
‘Hocus Pocus’ Turns 20: Meet the Voice Behind Binx the Talking Cat
Kevin Fallon
October 31, 2013
Historical Examples of hocus
Hocus loved her best, believing her to be his own, got upon the body of Mrs. Bull.
John Arbuthnot
In his most impressive style he undertook to administer a solemn rebuke for the use of such words as jockey and hocus.
Winston Spencer Churchill
Hocus pocus, gipsy words of magic, similar to the modern presto fly.
John Camden Hotten
A good swinging sum of John’s readiest cash went towards building of Hocus’s country house.
John Arbuthnot
This has been Hocus’s constant language, and I am sure he has had obligations enough to us to have acted another part.
John Arbuthnot
British Dictionary definitions for hocus hocus verb -cuses, -cusing, -cused, -cuses, -cussing or -cussed (tr) rare
- to take in; trick
- to stupefy, esp with a drug
- to add a drug to (a drink)