legerdemain

leg·er·de·main

noun \ˌle-jər-də-ˈmān\

Definition of LEGERDEMAIN

1

: sleight of hand

2

: a display of skill or adroitness

Examples of LEGERDEMAIN

1. <the illusionist's show is an entertaining blend of legerdemain and over-the-top showmanship>
2. <the reduction of the deficit is due in part to financial legerdemain that masks the true costs of running the government>

Origin of LEGERDEMAIN

Middle English, from Middle French leger de main light of hand

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to LEGERDEMAIN

Synonyms: conjuring, hocus-pocus, magic, prestidigitation

Related Words: deception, deceptiveness, trickery

Near Antonyms: artlessness, forthrightness, guilelessness, ingenuousness, sincerity; candidness, candor, directness, openness, plainness, plainspokenness

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

Rhymes with LEGERDEMAIN

abyssal plain, Alsace-Lorraine, balletomane, capital gain, Cartesian plane, convertiplane, demimondaine, elecampane, extramundane, Gangetic Plain, intermontane, mucous membrane, public domain, Salisbury Plain, ultramontane