Sleight of hand

Sleight of hand
Sleight Sleight, n. [OE. sleighte, sleihte, sleithe, Icel. sl?g? (for sl?g?) slyness, cunning, fr. sl?gr (for sl?gr) sly, cunning. See {Sly}.] 1. Cunning; craft; artful practice. [Obs.] ``His sleight and his covin.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. An artful trick; sly artifice; a feat so dexterous that the manner of performance escapes observation. [1913 Webster]

The world hath many subtle sleights. --Latimer. [1913 Webster]

3. Dexterous practice; dexterity; skill. --Chaucer. ``The juggler's sleight.'' --Hudibras. [1913 Webster]

{Sleight of hand}, legerdemain; prestidigitation. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Sleight of hand — Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation ( quick fingers ) or léger de main (from the French for lightness of hand ), is the set of techniques used by a magician (or card sharp) to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly.cite… …   Wikipedia

  • sleight of hand — [ ,slaıt əv hænd ] noun singular or uncount clever and quick use of your hands, especially when performing a magic trick a. clever and slightly dishonest behavior used for achieving something: political sleight of hand …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • sleight of hand — is the ability to use your hands in a clever way, like a magician performing tricks you can t see …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • sleight of hand — [ˌslaıt əv ˈhænd] n [U] [Date: 1400 1500; Origin: sleight skill, trick (13 20 centuries) from Old Norse slœgth, from slœgr; SLY] 1.) the use of quick and skilful movements with your hands when doing a magic trick, so that people cannot understand …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • sleight of hand — ► sleight of hand 1) manual dexterity, typically in performing conjuring tricks. 2) skilful deception. Main Entry: ↑sleight …   English terms dictionary

  • sleight-of-hand — sleightˈ of hand adjective • • • Main Entry: ↑sleight …   Useful english dictionary

  • sleight of hand — index prestidigitation Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • sleight of hand —    Sleight of hand is the ability to use your hands in a clever way, like a magician performing tricks you can t see.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • sleight of hand — sleight′ of hand′ n. 1) skill in feats requiring quick and clever movements of the hands, esp. for entertainment or deception; legerdemain 2) the performance of such feats 3) any such feat; a magic or conjuring trick 4) skill in deception •… …   From formal English to slang

  • Sleight of hand —   Sleight of hand is the ability to use your hands in a clever way, like a magician performing tricks you can t see …   Dictionary of English idioms

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