​PRESTIDIGITATION (from Lat. praesto, ready, and digitus, finger), the art of conjuring by nimble-fingered dexterity, particularly as opposed to the use of mechanical devices (see Conjuring). The Latin praestigium, illusion, praestigiae tricks, and praestigiator, juggler (from prae, before, and stingere, to prick), cover the same meaning though differently derived.