'Hocus-pocus' definitions:

Definition of 'hocus-pocus'

From: WordNet
noun
Verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way [syn: trickery, hocus-pocus, slickness, hanky panky, jiggery-pokery, skulduggery, skullduggery]

Definition of 'Hocus-pocus'

From: GCIDE
  • Hocus-pocus \Ho"cus-po"cus\, n. [Prob. invented by jugglers in imitation of Latin. Cf. Hoax, Hocus.]
  • 1. A term used by magicians or conjurers in pretended incantations. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A juggler or trickster. [Archaic] --Sir T. Herbert. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A magician's trick; a cheat; nonsense. --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Obfuscating talk or elaborate but meaningless activity intended to hide a deception or to obscure what is actually happening; verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way.
  • Syn: trickery, slickness, hanky panky, jiggery-pokery, skulduggery, skullduggery. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Definition of 'Hocus-pocus'

From: GCIDE
  • Hocus-pocus \Ho"cus-po"cus\, v. t. To cheat. [Colloq.] --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]