prestidigitation

American  

[pres-ti-dij-i-tey-shuhn] / ˌprɛs tɪˌdɪdʒ ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. sleight of hand; legerdemain.

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prestidigitation British  

/ ˌprɛstɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. another name for sleight of hand

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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

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