legerdemain etymology

Etymology:

  • French: léger de main ("light of hand")
  • Latin: levis ("light") + manus ("hand")

Meaning:

  • Sleight of hand, or the art of performing tricks or illusions by manipulating objects with extreme dexterity and speed.

Origin:

The term "legerdemain" originated in the 16th century in France. It was initially used to describe the quick and deceptive movements of pickpockets and other thieves. Over time, the term came to be associated with the art of performing tricks and illusions, particularly those involving hand movements.

By the 17th century, legerdemain was a well-established form of entertainment in Europe. It was often performed in the streets, at fairs, and in theaters. In the 18th and 19th centuries, legerdemain became a popular form of parlor entertainment, with many famous magicians, such as Harry Houdini and Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, showcasing their skills.

Today, legerdemain continues to be practiced by magicians and performers, and it remains an integral part of the art of illusion. It is also used in various other fields, such as card tricks, table magic, and coin tricks.

legerdemain relate terms

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    Etymology Latin alleviāre to make light ad to towards levis light M

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  • elevation

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  • elevator

    Etymology The word elevator is derived from the Latin word elevatus which means to

  • leaven

    Etymology Old English lēafnes from lēfan to leave Middle English leven levenen Ge

  • legerdemain

    Etymology French léger de main light of hand Latin levis light manus han

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  • Levant

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  • levator

    Etymology Latin lēvāre to raise lift up tōr suffix forming agent nouns Me

  • levee

    Etymology Levee originates from the French word levée meaning a raising or an e

  • lever

    Etymology The word lever comes from the Old French word leveur which is derived fro

  • levity

    Etymology Latin levitas lightness fickleness frivolity PIE root leghu ligh

  • levy

    Etymology The word levy derives from the Old French word lever meaning to raise

  • light

    Etymology The word light comes from the Old English word liht meaning bright or

  • lighter

    Etymology From Middle English lighter from Old English lihtre comparative of leoht

  • lung

    Etymology Origin Middle English lunge from Old French longe from Late Latin lum

  • relevance

    Etymology The word relevance originates from the Latin word relevare which means to

  • relevant

    Etymology The term relevant originates from the Latin word relevare which means to

  • releve

    Etymology From French relever meaning to raise lift up Ultimately derived from La

  • relief

    Etymology Latin relevare meaning to lighten ease lift Ancient Greek analeipsis

  • relieve

    Etymology Old French relever Latin relevare re back or again levare to lif

  • amanuensis

    Etymology Latin amanuensis writer secretary From Latin manus hand Meaning

  • command

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  • commando

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  • commend

    Etymology from Middle English comenden from Old English cōmendan from Proto Germanic

  • countermand

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  • demand

    Etymology The word demand comes from the Old French word demander meaning to ask f

  • Edmund

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  • emancipate

    Etymology Latin emancipare to release a child from parental authority Latin root

  • legerdemain

    Etymology French léger de main light of hand Latin levis light manus han

  • maintain

    Etymology Derived from the Old French word maintenir which means to hold keep or

  • manacle

    Etymology The word manacle comes from the Late Latin word manacula meaning handcuff

  • manage

    Etymology Definition The study of the origin and history of words Origin Greek et

  • manciple

    Etymology Origin Middle English 14th century from Middle French manacepier mancipe

  • mandamus

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  • mandate

    Etymology Middle English mandat Old French mandat Latin mandātum command order

  • manege

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  • maneuver

    Etymology The word maneuver comes from the French word manœuvre which in turn deri

  • manicure

    Etymology The word manicure originates from two Latin words Manus meaning hand Cu

  • manipulation

    Etymology The word manipulation originates from the Latin word manipulus which means

  • manque

    Etymology The word manque is borrowed from French where it means lacking or imperf

  • mansuetude

    Etymology The word mansuetude traces its roots back to the Latin term mansuetus which

  • manual

    Etymology Latin manualis Medieval Latin manual Old French manuel Middle Englis

  • manubrium

    Etymology Latin manubrium handle or grip Derived from manus hand and brach

  • manufacture

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  • manumission

    Etymology from Latin manumissio setting free of a slave from manus hand and mit

  • manumit

    Etymology The word manumit comes from the Latin word manumittere which means to rel

  • manure

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  • manuscript

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  • mastiff

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  • mortmain

    Etymology Mort From Latin mort or mortis meaning death or dead person Main F

  • Raymond

    Etymology Old High German Ratmund Latin Raymond Meaning Protector of the go

  • recommend

    Recommend Etymology From the Old French recommander to commend recommend itself f

  • remand

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  • Sigismund

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  • trick

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  • magic

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  • conjuration

    Etymology Latin conjuratio conspiracy incantation Root con with jurare to sw

  • juggle

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  • deception

    Etymology Old French decepcion 13th century Latin deceptio act of deceiving decept

  • illusion

    Etymology The word illusion derives from the Latin word illudere meaning to mock

  • performance

    Etymology From Medieval Latin performantia from Latin perfōrmāre meaning to perform

  • main

    Etymology The word main derives from the Old French term mein or maen meaning gre

  • Levis

    Etymology and Meaning The name Levi s derives from the name of a German American immig

  • line

    Etymology The word line originates from the Old French word ligne which in turn deri