hex

¹

[ heks ]

verb (used with object)

1. to bewitch; practice witchcraft on:

   He was accused of hexing his neighbors' cows because they suddenly stopped giving milk.

noun

1. spell; charm:

   With all this rain, somebody must have put a hex on our picnic.

2. a witch.

hex

²

[ heks ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. hexagonal:

   a bolt with a matching washer and hex nut.

2. hexadecimal ( def 1 ).

hex.

³

abbreviation for

1. hexagon
2. hexagonal.

hex

¹

/ hɛks /

noun

1. 1. short for hexadecimal
   2. ( as modifier )

      hex code

hex

²

/ hɛks /

verb

1. tr to bewitch

noun

1. an evil spell or symbol of bad luck
2. a witch

Derived Forms

• ˈhexer, noun

Other Words From

• hexer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hex¹

1820–30; < German Hexe witch; hag ¹

Origin of hex²

First recorded in 1920–25; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of hex¹

C19: via Pennsylvania Dutch from German Hexe witch, from Middle High German hecse, perhaps from Old High German hagzissa; see hag ¹

Example Sentences

The Teen’s true identity remains a secret thanks to the sigil hex that prevents others from hearing any identifying information about him, including his real name.

From Los Angeles Times

The comment may have been a reference to a lyric in Bambie Thug's song, where they put a hex on an ex-boyfriend, but the singer felt it had crossed a line.

From BBC

“Then she sent me threatening notes, saying if I told anyone she'd put a conjure hex on me. I was too afraid to come forward until my parents found the notes.”

From Literature

No longer a pristine hex shape, it was now gnarled up and unusable.

From Salon

Washington State’s starting running back looked quick, decisive, agile, like someone had lifted whatever hex hovered over him during the first nine games of the season.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• jinx
• whammy