The DICT Development Group
2 definitions found
for Legerdemain
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
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.
[1913 Webster]
He of legierdemayne the mysteries did know. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
The tricks and legerdemain by which men impose upon
their own souls. --South.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) :
legerdemain
n 1: an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers
[syn: magic trick, conjuring trick, trick, magic,
legerdemain, conjuration, thaumaturgy, illusion,
deception]
Contact=webmaster@dict.org Specification=RFC 2229