prestidigitation
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
- prestidigitator noun
- prestidigitatorial adjective
- prestidigitatory adjective
Etymology
Origin of prestidigitation
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Still, the biggest act of prestidigitation is yet to come, and actually occurs after Pence provides his proof texts.
From Salon • Aug. 27, 2023
Like the similar reanimation of the young Kurt Russell in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” it’s an impressive bit of CGI prestidigitation.
From Washington Post • May 25, 2017
“Now You See Me’s” Jesse Eisenberg engages a bit of prestidigitation on a new “Penn & Teller: Fool Us.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 15, 2016
On Monday, Alito and Thomas went a step further, attempting to perform an act of prestidigitation that would effectively make Montgomery disappear altogether.
From Slate • May 23, 2016
By no political prestidigitation can it be made better and wiser than the sum of their goodness and wisdom.
From The Shadow On The Dial, and Other Essays 1909 by Howes, S. O. (Silas Orrin)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
