hex

/hɛks/

/hɛks/

Other forms: hexed; hexes; hexing; hexer

A hex is a magic spell or charm that's meant to cause harm. A witch in a story, for example, might put a hex on a prince that turns him into a chicken.

If you believe in magic, you might either fear hexes or aspire to learn how to put them on your enemies — to hex them. In the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, "hex signs," forms of stars, flowers, and circles, are commonly painted on barns. Though tourists often interpret these as having superstitious meanings, they're really just folk art symbols. The Middle High German root of hex is Hexe, or "witch."

Definitions of hex

1. noun

   an evil spell
   synonyms: curse, jinx, whammy

   type of:

   charm, magic spell, magical spell, spell

   a verbal formula believed to have magical force
2. verb

   cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
   synonyms: bewitch, enchant, ensorcel, ensorcell, glamour, jinx, witch

   types:

   voodoo

   bewitch by or as if by a voodoo

   spell

   place under a spell

   type of:

   becharm, charm

   control by magic spells, as by practicing witchcraft
3. adjective

   of or pertaining to a number system having 16 as its base
   synonyms: hexadecimal