Adjacent Words

Legerdemain definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

LEG'ERDEMAIN, n. [See Light.]
Slight of hand; a deceptive performance which depends on dexterity of hand; a trick performed with such art and adroitness, that the manner or art eludes observation. The word is sometimes used adjectively; as a legerdemain trick.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers [syn: magic trick, conjuring trick, trick, magic, legerdemain, conjuration, thaumaturgy, illusion, deception]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French leger de main light of hand Date: 15th century 1. sleight of hand 2. a display of skill or adroitness

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 sleight of hand; conjuring or juggling. 2 trickery, sophistry. Etymology: ME f. F léger de main light of hand, dextrous

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Legerdemain Leg`er*de*main" (l[e^]j`[~e]r*d[-e]*m[=a]n"), n. [F. l['e]ger light, nimble + de of + main hand, L. manus. See 3d Leger, and Manual.] Sleight of hand; a trick of sleight of hand; hence, any artful deception or trick. He of legierdemayne the mysteries did know. --Spenser. The tricks and legerdemain by which men impose upon their own souls. --South.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. Juggle, juggling, sleight of hand.