prestidigitation

Forms

prestidigitation f (plural prestidigitations)^[1]

Etymology

It is from French prestidigitateur, formed from it by a change of suffix to -ation.^[2][3][1][4] That noun, of the same date, was formed from preste (“nimble”), the stem of digitus (“finger”) and the suffix -ateur, literally “man with nimble fingers”;^[2][3] Rey thinks its coiner had praestīgiae (“juggling tricks”) in mind.^[3] Wiktionary credits the coinage to Jules de Rovère.^[1] The adjective preste is from Italian presto.^[2][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Boiste first records it in 1823, for the art of the conjuror.^[2][3][6]

Semantic evolution

The word named the art of producing illusions by the skill of the hands, which became an elaborate stage technique,^[3][2] and by 1904 Larousse also used it for a show of tricks and effects of “physique amusante”.^[6] Figuratively it is the skill of producing false appearances, as in c'est de la prestidigitation!^[3][7] Its near synonym is illusionnisme.^[3] English took it as prestidigitation in 1843.^[8]

Timeline

• 1823 – Boiste records prestidigitation and prestidigitateur.^[2][3]
• 1843 – English borrows it.^[8]
• 1904 – Larousse records the sense “show of conjuring tricks”.^[6]

Meanings

Noun

1. The art of producing illusions, making objects appear, vanish or move by quickness of hand and tricks, conjuring, sleight of hand.^[7][9][2]
2. A performance of such tricks and effects.^[9][6]
3. (figurative) An illusion or appearance that cannot be explained: c'est de la prestidigitation!^[7]

Related words

• prestidigitateur
• preste
• escamotage
• illusionnisme

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
6. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
7. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
9. ^ a b Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)