pres'ti·dig'i·ta'tor n. pres⋅ti⋅dig⋅i⋅ta⋅tion /ˌprɛstɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [pres-ti-dij-i-tey-shuhn] Use prestidigitation in a Sentence - noun sleight of hand; legerdemain.
[French (influenced by prestigiateur, juggler, conjurer, from prestige, illusion), from prestidigitateur, conjurer : preste, nimble (from Italian presto; see presto) + Latin digitus, finger; see digit.]
- Performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand.
- A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.
Origin: 1855-60; < F: lit., ready-fingeredness, coinage perh. based on prestigiateur juggler, conjurer, deriv. of L praestīgiae juggler's tricks