Hex
/hɛks/noun
A magic spell or curse; also, to cast a spell on.
Did you know?In modern English, hex is tied to folklore and witchcraft, but its deeper ancestry is debated: it likely comes through German dialects from words meaning “witch” or “wizard,” not from the number six.
Etymological Timeline
Old High German
OHG
hagazussa
“witch; hedge-rider, a female spirit or witch”
Middle Low German
MLG
hexe
“witch”
Early Modern German
German
Hexe
“witch”
18th Century
English
hex
“a spell or charm, especially one intended to bring bad luck”
Modern English
English
hex
“to cast a spell on; a curse or jinx”