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hoax

- 5 dictionary results

hoax

[hohks]
–noun
1. something intended to deceive or defraud: The Piltdown man was a scientific hoax.
–verb (used with object)
2. to deceive by a hoax; hoodwink.

Origin:
1790–1800; perh. contr. of hocus


hoaxer, noun


1. deception, fraud, fake, imposture, humbug.
hoax   (hōks)   
n.  
  1. An act intended to deceive or trick.
  2. Something that has been established or accepted by fraudulent means.
tr.v.   hoaxed, hoax·ing, hoax·es
To deceive or cheat by using a hoax.

[Perhaps alteration of hocus.]
hoax'er n.

Hoax

Hoax\, n. [Prob. contr. fr. hocus, in hocus-pocus.] A deception for mockery or mischief; a deceptive trick or story; a practical joke. --Macaulay.

Hoax

Hoax\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hoaxed; p. pr. & vb. n. Hoaxing.] To deceive by a story or a trick, for sport or mischief; to impose upon sportively. --Lamb.
Language Translation for : hoax
Spanish: trampa, engaño; broma pesada,
German: die Falschmeldung,
Japanese: 人をかつぐこと

hoax 
1796 (v.), 1808 (n.), probably alt. of hocus "conjurer, juggler" (1640), or directly from hocus-pocus.
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