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 ] | 
