prestige
UK[preˈstiːʒ]US[preˈstiːʒ]
n
The respect and admiration that someone or something gets because of their success, important position, or high quality.
n
The power to impress or influence people because of one's high status or reputation.
Morpheme Breakdown
prest
ige
prest
illusion, trick
ige
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'prestige' originates from the Latin 'praestigiae', meaning 'juggler's tricks' or 'illusions', itself likely related to 'praestringere' ('to blindfold, to dazzle'). This reflects a journey from a concrete, often deceptive, act of illusion to an abstract quality of dazzling influence. In 17th-century French, 'prestige' began to shed its purely deceptive connotations, evolving to signify the dazzling impression created by magicians or powerful figures. By the 19th century, English adopted the term to describe the aura of respect, admiration, and commanding influence that surrounds individuals, institutions, or achievements, completing the transformation from literal trickery to metaphorical social power.
Analysis
Structure: prest (illusion, trick) + ige (noun suffix)
'prest' is from Old French, ultimately from Latin 'praestigium' meaning 'illusion, trick, deception'. The '-ige' is a noun-forming suffix in French, adapted into English.
Examples
The university's long history has given it a great deal of prestige.
He took the job for the money, not for the prestige.
The brand's prestige allows it to charge premium prices.