Definition of "prestidigitation" [pres•ti•dig•i•ta•tion]

• Performance of or skill in performing magic or conjuring tricks with the hands; sleight of hand. (noun)
• A show of skill or deceitful cleverness. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Where's The Club? was a rambling, Randy Newman-style ballad; Twenty Twenty Vision veered left into bluegrass; and Spider Fingers included the first and presumably last use of the word "prestidigitation" in popular song."
• "The blow was struck: henceforth the interpreters and all those who had dealings with the Arabs received orders to make them understand that my pretended miracles were only the result of skill, inspired and guided by an art called prestidigitation, in no way connected with sorcery."
• "For those of you who love to expand your vocabulary to include words like "prestidigitation," bookmark and use often!"