prestidigitation

Noun

prestidigitation (countable and uncountable, plural prestidigitations)

1. A performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands.
   • My favorite prestidigitation was when he pulled the live dove out of that tiny scarf.
   • He borrowed another hat and displayed its perfect emptiness; he held up his empty hands: "This is one of the most marvellous bits of prestidigitation known," he said. "You have all seen this hat holds nothing in the world: I will now see if I can extract anything from its emptiness. You can all...1897, Ethel Turner, The Child of the Children

   Synonyms:

   sleight of hand, legerdemain

2. (broadly) A show of skill or deceitful cleverness.
   • His writing was peppered with verbal tricks and prestidigitation.
   • The more modest place became the picture better; yet, as my eyes grew accustomed to the half-light, all the characteristic qualities came out--all the hesitations disguised as audacities, the tricks of prestidigitation by which, with such consummate skill, he managed to divert attention from the...1908, Edith Wharton, The Verdict

   Synonyms:

   sleight of hand, legerdemain, deception, imposition, hype, deceit, dupery, fiddle, fetch, hocus-pocus