Legerdemain
/ˌlɛʒərdəˈmeɪn/
nounC2
Definition
Legerdemain is the skill of using quick and clever hand movements to perform magic tricks or illusions. It can also describe any clever or tricky action that hides what is really happening, often to deceive or surprise others.
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See It in Action
Skillful hand movements to perform magic or tricks
- •The magician used legerdemain to make the coin vanish.
- •Card players sometimes use legerdemain to cheat, but it is hard to see.
- •His legerdemain amazed the audience during the magic show.
Clever or tricky actions to hide the truth or deceive
- •The politician's speech was full of legerdemain to confuse voters.
- •She used legerdemain to avoid answering the difficult question.
- •Business deals sometimes involve legerdemain to hide real costs.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "legerdemain" like "magic" (A1 word), but focusing on the fast and clever hand movements that make the magic happen
- ✓Picture a magician quickly moving their hands to make a coin disappear or a card change—this is legerdemain
- ✓It's the feeling of surprise when you see a magic trick and wonder "How did they do that so fast?"
- ✓Sounds like "LEH-zhur-duh-MANE" → Imagine a smooth, secret dance of hands moving quickly and quietly
- ✓Think of famous magicians like David Copperfield or street performers who use quick hand tricks to amaze crowds
- ✓NOT like "magic" (which can include big effects or powers), legerdemain is about small, skillful hand tricks and clever deception
- ✓NOT like "cheating" (which is unfair and obvious), legerdemain is clever and artistic, often for entertainment
- ✓NOT like "illusion" (which is the false image), legerdemain is the skill to create that illusion with hands
Try Other Words
- •Sleight of hand: skillful hand movements in magic or deception (Use when talking specifically about hand tricks)
- •Trickery: clever actions to fool or cheat (Use when focusing on deception, not just magic)
- •Deception: act of making someone believe something false (Use when the focus is on hiding the truth)
- •Magic: art of performing illusions to entertain (Use when the focus is on entertainment and wonder)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: From Old French "leger de main" meaning "light of hand" (light = quick, gentle)
- •Etymology: Comes from French phrase describing skillful, quick hand movements
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 1600s to describe magic tricks and clever hand skills
- •Modern usage: Still used to describe skilled hand magic or clever, tricky actions that hide the truth
- •Interesting fact: The phrase "sleight of hand" is an English version of legerdemain
Reflect & Connect
•How can legerdemain be used in everyday life beyond magic shows or cheating?
•Can clever tricks (legerdemain) be good or bad depending on the situation? How do you decide?
Fill in the blanks
1.The magician's legerdemain made the audience ___ in surprise and wonder.
2.He used legerdemain with his hands so quickly that no one could ___ his moves.
3.Unlike simple tricks, legerdemain requires ___ and smooth hand movements.
4.Politicians sometimes use legerdemain to ___ the truth during speeches.
5.The phrase "sleight of hand" means the same as legerdemain and focuses on ___.
6.When someone uses legerdemain, they often want to ___ or hide something.
7.Legerdemain is different from magic because it focuses on the ___, not the big effects.