prestidigitator
pronunciation
How to pronounce prestidigitator in British English:
UK [ˌprestɪ'dɪdʒɪteɪtə]
How to pronounce prestidigitator in American English:
US [ˌprestɪ'dɪdʒɪˌteɪtə]
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- Noun:
- someone who performs magic tricks to amuse an audience
Word Origin
- prestidigitator (n.)
- 1843, from French prestidigitateur, a hybrid coined 1830 by Jules de Rovère (who sought a new word, "qui s'accorderait mieux à ses nobles origines" to replace escamoteur and physicien), roughly based on Latin praestigiator "juggler" (see prestigious); influenced by Italian presto "quick," a conjuror's word (see presto), and by Latin digitus "finger" (see digit).
Example
- 1. Not me , honey . i \'m a prestidigitator .
- 2. He was a prestidigitator who entertained the children by pulling rabbits out of hats , swallowing fire , and other similar tricks 。