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Webster 1913 Edition
Humbug
Hum′bugˊ
,Noun.
[Prob. fr.
hum
to impose on, deceive + bug
a frightful object.] 1.
An imposition under fair pretenses; something contrived in order to deceive and mislead; a trick by cajolery; a hoax.
2.
A spirit of deception; cajolery; trickishness.
3.
One who deceives or misleads; a deceitful or trickish fellow; an impostor.
Sir J. Stephen.
Hum′bugˊ
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Humbugged
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Humbugging
.] To deceive; to impose; to cajole; to hoax.
Webster 1828 Edition
Humbug
HUM'BUG
,Noun.