prestidigitator

noun

pres·​ti·​dig·​i·​ta·​tor

-ātə-

plural -s

: one skilled in legerdemain : a performer of sleight of hand

is a sort of literary prestidigitator: he can make something out of nothing, and keep any number of verbal notions in the air simultaneously

—F. B. Millett

prestidigitatorial

¦⸗⸗¦dijətə¦tōrēəl

adjective

prestidigitatory

-təˌtōrē

adjective

Word History

Etymology

French prestidigitateur, alteration (influenced by preste quick, nimble—from Middle French, from Old Italian presto —& by Latin digitus finger) of prestigiateur, from Latin praestigiator

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