English Explanatory Dictionary

hex

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To cast a spell on (specifically an evil spell), to bewitch.
noun
  1. An evil spell or curse.
  2. A witch.
  3. A spell (now rare but still found in compounds such as hex sign and hexcraft).
noun
  1. Clipping of hexadecimal.
noun
  1. A hexagonal space on a game board.
  2. a hexagon-shaped item of rock climbing equipment intended to be wedged into a crack or other opening in the rock.
noun
  1. Clipping of uranium hexafluoride.

Pronunciation

/ˈhɛks/ [ˈhɛks] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-hex.wav

Word forms

hex hexes hexing hexed

Etymology

First attested about 1830, from Pennsylvania German hexe (“to practice witchcraft”), from German hexen (compare Hexe (“witch”)). The noun appeared later, in the 1850s. Cognate to Norwegian Bokmål heks (“witch”) and Dutch heks (“witch”), Dutch beheksen (“to bewitch”), Old English hægtesse (“witch, hag”). Doublet of hag.

Synonyms

bespell jinx spellbind bechat becry beglammer bewitch conjure enchant englamour ensorcell enspell forspeak glamour hex maleficiate mojo spell spellcast witch malediction enchantress sorceress wizardess enchantment incantation cantrip chantment charm craft dwimmer magic magic spell makutu obeah pishogue rune spellword wanga

Related words

nut

Derived words

dehex hexcraft hexology hex sign unhex hexer hex edit hex-edit hex editor hex-editor dihex heptahex hexahex hexane hex bar hex crawl hex head bolt hex head screw hex head wrench hex key megahex monohex pentahex polyhex tetrahex trihex
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