I. ˈhü(ˌ)dü noun
( -s )
Etymology: of African origin; akin to Hausa hu 3 'du 3 ba 1 to arouse resentment against someone
1. : voodoo
2.
a. : something that brings or is associated with the occurrence of bad luck : jinx , jonah — compare mascot
b. : bad luck
3.
a. : a natural column or pinnacle of rock common in parts of western No. America that results from weathering or erosion and occurs in varied and often fantastic forms
b. : earth pillar
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or being a hoodoo
hoodoo priests
a hoodoo fetish
2.
a. : persistently unlucky as if under a spell
a hoodoo ship
: jinxed
b. : bringing or associated with bad luck
when that hoodoo planet crops up in a horoscope
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to cast a spell on : bring to misfortune by occult means ; broadly : be a source of misfortune to