hocus

Meaning

Verb

1. To play a trick on, to trick (someone); to hoax; to cheat.
2. (obsolete) To stupefy (someone) with drugged liquor (especially in order to steal from them).
3. (obsolete) To drug (liquor).
4. (obsolete) To adulterate (food).

Noun

1. (obsolete) A magician, illusionist, one who practises sleight of hand.
2. (obsolete) One who cheats or deceives.
3. Trick; trickery.
4. (obsolete) Drugged liquor.

Synonyms

deceive

benumb

bite

chloroform

delude

diddle

dope

euchre

have on

hoodwink

inveigle

juggle

numb

outsmart

spoof

trick

welch

bamboozle

torpify

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈhəʊkəs/

Etymology

See hocus-pocus.