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1. Dictionary

   ho·cus-po·cus

   /ˌhōkəsˈpōkəs/

   noun

   • 1. meaningless talk or activity, often designed to draw attention away from and disguise what is actually happening: "some people still view psychology as a lot of hocus-pocus" Similar jargonunintelligible languageobscure languagemumbo jumboargle-barglegibberishbalderdashclaptrapnonsensetwaddlerubbishinformal:gobbledygookdouble Dutchhokumbullgarbagetriperotflapdoodlebellywashinformal, dated:bunkum
   • ▪ a form of words often used by a person performing magic tricks. Similar magic wordsmagic formulamumbo jumboabracadabraincantationchantinvocationcharm
   • ▪ deception; trickery.

   Word Origin early 17th century: from hax pax max Deus adimax, a pseudo-Latin phrase used as a magic formula by conjurors.

   Scrabble Points: 19

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishHOCUS-POCUS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   HOCUS-POCUS definition: 1. tricks used to deceive, or words used to hide what is happening or make it not clear: 2. words…. Learn more.

3. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hocus-pocusHocus-pocus - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Hocus-pocus

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   Hocus-pocus is a reference to the actions of magicians, often as the stereotypical magic words spoken when bringing about some sort of change. It was once a common term for a magician, juggler, or other similar entertainers.

4. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › hocus-pocusHocus-pocus Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › hocus-pocus

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   The meaning of HOCUS-POCUS is sleight of hand. How to use hocus-pocus in a sentence.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryHOCUS-POCUS | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   HOCUS-POCUS meaning: 1. tricks used to deceive, or words used to hide what is happening or make it not clear: 2. words…. Learn more.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishHOCUS-POCUS definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   If you describe something as hocus-pocus, you disapprove of it because you think it is false and intended to trick or deceive people.

7. www.phrases.org.uk › meanings › hocus-pocusHocus-pocus - Meaning & Origin Of The Phrase - Phrasefinder

   www.phrases.org.uk › meanings › hocus-pocus

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   What's the meaning of the phrase 'Hocus-pocus'? ‘Hocus pocus’ is a supposed magical charm previously uttered by magicians. More recently it has been used as a general term for trickery or magic. What's the origin of the phrase 'Hocus-pocus'?

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › hocus-pocusHocus-pocus - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › hocus-pocus

   Hocus-pocus is an illusion or a meaningless distraction that tricks you in some way. Some people believe in astrology, while others think horoscopes are nothing but hocus-pocus.