prestidigitation
|pres-ti-di-gi-ta-tion|
/ˌprɛstɪdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/
quick finger tricks
Etymology
'prestidigitation' originates from French, specifically the word 'prestidigitation', ultimately built from elements meaning 'quick' and 'finger' (via Italian and Latin).
'prestidigitation' came into English from French 'prestidigitation' (18th century), which itself reflects Italian 'prestidigitazione' and Latin roots such as Latin 'praesto' (quick, at hand) and 'digitus' (finger).
Initially formed to describe quick finger movements used in trickery ('quick finger tricks'), its meaning has remained focused on sleight of hand but has also broadened to include figurative senses of clever or deceptive manipulation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the performance of magic or sleight of hand; skillful hand manipulations used to perform tricks.
The magician's prestidigitation amazed everyone in the theater.
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Noun 2
figurative use: skillful, sometimes deceptive, manipulation or maneuvering (of words, facts, or situations).
The report was full of rhetorical prestidigitation that obscured the real issues.
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Last updated: 2025/11/16 05:32