prestidigitation
A performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the handsA performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands.
Meaning
2 senses(countable, uncountable)A performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands.
My favorite prestidigitation was when he pulled the live dove out of that tiny scarf.
(broadly, countable, uncountable)A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.
His writing was peppered with verbal tricks and prestidigitation.
Taschenspielerkunst, Taschenspielertrick, Taschenspielertrick
- manual dexterity in the execution of tricks
Translations
6 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
From French prestidigitation, from French preste (“nimble, quick”) + Latin digitus (“fingeFrom French prestidigitation, from French preste (“nimble, quick”) + Latin digitus (“finger”) + French -ation (process suffix). The word has a different origin from prestige, even though this in the past has meant “delusion, illusion, trick”.
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Forms
plural: prestidigitations| Singular | prestidigitation |
|---|---|
| Plural | prestidigitations |
regular
Synonyms
27 synonyms- manual dexterity in the execution of tricks:sleight of hand
Word family
1 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable