Meaning of Hocus | Babel Free

Definitions

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

Equivalents

Examples

“Certainly he was the bravest Ambodexter of his time, and this blinded age, or that ever was among us dull Northern people; and among the multitude of his Tricks, I shall commend to the Hocusses of Bartholomew Fair, for their information and edification, this Legerdemain (for it is supposed it will hardly be practicable any more in the Pulpit;)”

“I called freely for what was in the house, which was readily brought me; but when the servants beheld with what cele[r]ity, (Hocus like⟳) and cleanly conveyance, I had disposed of what was before me, they verily believed in one week, I would cause a dearth in the house […]”

“1689, Roger L’Estrange (translator), Twenty-Two Select⟳ Colloquies out of Erasmus Roterodamus, London: R. Bentley & R. Sare, p. 33, ’Tis rather to exercise our Curiosity, and keep⟳ us from Idleness, or worse Diversions, as running mad after Buffoons, Dice, Fortune-tellers, and Hocus’s, &c.”

“1685, Robert South, “A Sermon Preached at Christ-Church, Oxon, Before the University, May 3. 1685” in Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, London: Thomas Bennett, 1692, p. 523, […] when thy Brother has lost all that ever he had, and lies languishing, and even gasping under the utmost extremities of poverty and distress, dost thou think⟳ thus to lick him whole again, only with thy Tongue? just like⟳ that old formal Hocus, who denyed a Beggar a farthing, and put⟳ him off with his Blessing.”

“I have⟳ the Originals at This Present⟳ in my Hand, and there is the Paw of Tong and Otes so manifestly in the very Writing of them; as if they had not thought it worth the while to Disguise the Cheat. It was an Imposture, that their very Souls, Heads, Hearts, and Hands were All at Work⟳ upon; And the Forgery Vndeniable; only Tong Himself was the Master-Hocus.”

“As in almost every Chapter of his Book, so in this Seventh, he has a new Hocus to carry⟳ on his old design⟳ […]”

“The Jugler and the Judge⟳, too, may complain⟳, For both now strive to cheat the World in vain; In slight and shift and Trick⟳ they both agree⟳, But a quick Eye may all their Hocus see⟳:”

“1871, Benjamin Jowett, letter to Florence Nightingale dated 29 September, 1871, cited in Edward Tyas Cook⟳, The Life of Florence Nightingale, London: Macmillan, 1913, Volume 2, Part 7, Chapter 1, p. 223, […] I do not agree⟳ with you in thinking that there are no difficulties, although the old difficulties, about the origin of evil &c., are generally a hocus of Theologians.”

“He was amused by the uncompromising attitude that said to Goldfinger and to the room, ‘All men are bastards and cheats. Don’t try⟳ any masculine hocus on me. I don’t go for it. I’m in a separate⟳ league.’”

CEFR level