| 释义 |
prestidigitator|ˌprɛstɪˈdɪdʒɪteɪtə(r)|
Also in F. form ‖ prestidigitateur |prɛstidiʒitatœr|.
[ad. F. prestidigitateur (J. de Rovère, a 1830: see quot. 1859), f. preste nimble (ad. It. presto, L. præstus: see presto) + L. digit-us a finger + -ateur, L. -ator agent-suffix: perh. suggested by F. prestigiateur prestigiator, or due to a perverted derivation of it.]
One who practises sleight of hand or legerdemain; a juggler, a conjurer; hence fig. a juggler with words, a trickster.
a1843in Southey Comm.-pl. Bk. IV. 603/1 De M. G. Ferizer the celebrated enchanter..prestidigitateur, and author of several experiments adapted to public amusement. 1859Wraxall tr. R. Houdin viii. 166–7 Jules de Rovère, the first to employ a title now generally given to fashionable conjurors... One day the pompous title of ‘Prestidigitateur’ was visible on an enormous poster, which also condescended to supply the derivation of this breath-stopping word, presto digiti (activity of the fingers). Ibid., The learning of the conjuror—I beg pardon, prestidigitator... This word, as well as Prestidigitation, due to the same author, were soon seized upon by Jules de Rovère's rivals. 1870M. D. Conway Earthw. Pilgr. xvi. 201 Whether our young men should turn themselves into intellectual prestidigitateurs. 1879Baring-Gould Germany I. 392 A prestidigitator can work magic with his nimble fingers. 1905Contemp. Rev. June 877 The repeated successes of the prestidigitator who is at the head of its Government.
Hence prestidigitaˈtorial, prestiˈdigitatory adjs., of or pertaining to prestidigitation.
1860All Year Round No. 63. 312 Prestidigitatory elements of entertainment were not wanting. 1861in Daily Tel. 22 Oct., He has managed his cards well if he has substituted prestidigitatorial feats for operatic. |