prestidigitation

[ pres-ti-dij-i-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. sleight of hand; legerdemain.

prestidigitation

/ ˌprɛstɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. another name for sleight of hand

Derived Forms

• ˌprestiˈdigiˌtator, noun

Other Words From

• presti·digi·tator noun
• pres·ti·dig·i·ta·to·ry [pres-ti-, dij, -i-t, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], presti·digi·ta·tori·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prestidigitation¹

First recorded in 1840–45; from French preste “nimble” (from Italian presto ) + Latin digit(us) “finger” + French -ation; or perhaps based on prestigiateur “juggler, conjurer,” derivative of Latin praestīgiae “juggler's tricks”; presto, prestige, digit, -ation

Word History and Origins

Origin of prestidigitation¹

C19: from French: quick-fingeredness, from Latin praestigiae feats of juggling, tricks, probably influenced by French preste nimble, and Latin digitus finger; see prestige

Example Sentences

Still, the biggest act of prestidigitation is yet to come, and actually occurs after Pence provides his proof texts.

From Salon

Leaning into the sideshow kitsch of a superhero movie about a flying magician in an anthropomorphic cape, Raimi — in a marvelous act of movie prestidigitation — has pulled a cute rabbit from the old Disney hat.

From Seattle Times

Later, in an act of popcorn-movie prestidigitation, all memory of yet another character is erased.

From New York Times

You could argue that this is all prestidigitation, the conjuring of money from nothing.

From Los Angeles Times

I can see giddy children dazzling parents with this bit of classic prestidigitation.

From Washington Times