was wotd|2007|June|4
English
Etymology
From F. #French|prestidigitation from F. preste#French|preste, nimble, quick (from Italian presto#Italian|presto, from Late Latin praestus#Latin|praestus, "ready at hand") + L. digitus#Latin|digitus, finger, + noun of process suffix -ation, from Latin perfect passive participle suffix -atus + suffix -io.
Pronunciation
italbrac|RP IPA|/�pr�stɪ�dɪd�ɪ�teɪ��n/
italbrac|US IPA|/�pr�st��dɪd�ɪ�teɪ��n/
audio|en-us-prestidigitation.ogg|Audio (US)
rhymes|eɪ��n
Noun
en-noun
- A performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand.
#:My favorite prestidigitation was when he pulled the live dove out of that tiny scarf.
- A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.
#:His writing was peppered with verbal tricks and prestidigitation.
Related terms
prestidigitator
Translations
trans-top|sleight of hand
French: prestidigitation f
trans-mid
Japanese: �� (tejina)
trans-bottom
trans-top|deceitful cleverness
French: prestidigitation f
trans-mid
trans-bottom
de:prestidigitation
fr:prestidigitation
ru:prestidigitation
vi:prestidigitation
zh:prestidigitation
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