legerdemain
UK[ˌledʒədəˈmeɪn]US[ˌledʒərdəˈmeɪn]
n
skillful use of one's hands when performing conjuring tricks.
n
deceptive or cleverly skillful behavior used to trick or manipulate people.
Morpheme Breakdown
leger
de
main
leger
light
de
of
main
hand
Etymology
the word legerdemain entered english in the late 15th century from the middle french phrase 'léger de main', which translates literally as 'light of hand'. the french 'léger' derives from latin 'levis', meaning 'light in weight', while 'main' comes from latin 'manus', meaning 'hand'. the phrase originally described the quick, deft, and seemingly weightless movements of a juggler or magician's hands, essential for sleight of hand. over time, the meaning extended metaphorically from physical dexterity to encompass any form of clever trickery or artful deception, capturing the essence of skill used to misdirect and manipulate perception.
Analysis
Structure: leger (light) + de (of) + main (hand)
leger (from old french 'leger', meaning 'light', from latin 'levis'), de (from old french 'de', a preposition meaning 'of'), main (from old french 'main', meaning 'hand', from latin 'manus').
Examples
the magician's legerdemain was so flawless that the audience was left utterly baffled.
the contract was secured through financial legerdemain, hiding the true costs in complex clauses.
his political success relied more on rhetorical legerdemain than on substantive policy.