Words / C2

prest-i-dij-i-TAYSHUN/ˌprestɪˌdɪdʒɪˈteɪʃn/

Prestidigitation is sleight of hand; skilful deception by quick fingers (formal / humorous): a feat of prestidigitation, statistical prestidigitation. Magic (already in the dictionary) is everyday impossible-looking tricks; a trick (already in the dictionary) is a cunning act, and legerdemain (already in the dictionary) is skilful deception — the close twin. To beguile (already in the dictionary) is to charm or deceive, literary. This batch: factitious is artificially created. A dashboard join is not an n.

Meaning

Sleight of hand; skilful deception by quick fingers (formal / humorous).

Examples

• “Prestidigitation with the dashboard join does not invent an n.”
• “Magic is everyday impossible-looking tricks (already in A2). A trick is a cunning act (already in B2). Legerdemain is sleight of hand (already in C2). To beguile is to charm or deceive (already in C2). Factitious is artificial; not genuine (this batch). A dated figure can still prop a paper. A flourish that never states the cell is branding. Write the number; then the scarf-trick.”

Good to know

Sleight of hand; finger-trickery. Everyday: magic / trick (already in this dictionary). Close: legerdemain (already in C2); beguile (already in C2). This batch: factitious. A flourish ≠ an n.

Near in meaning

sleight of hand, legerdemain, conjuring, trickery

New