prestige

pres·tige

noun, often attributive \pre-ˈstēzh, -ˈstēj\

: the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important

Full Definition of PRESTIGE

1

:  standing or estimation in the eyes of people :  weight or credit in general opinion

2

:  commanding position in people's minds

— pres·tige·ful \-fəl\ adjective

Examples of PRESTIGE

1. Her career as a diplomat has brought her enormous prestige.
2. The job has low pay and low prestige.
3. The family has wealth and social prestige.

Origin of PRESTIGE

French, from Middle French, conjuror's trick, illusion, from Latin praestigiae, plural, conjuror's tricks, from praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, from prae- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain

First Known Use: 1829

Rhymes with PRESTIGE

besiege