n.
Pronunciation: pre- ' st ē zh, - ' st ē j
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: French, from Middle French, conjuror's trick, illusion, from Latin praestigiae, plural, conjuror's tricks, from praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, from prae- + stringere to bind tight ― more at STRAIN
Date: 1829
1 : standing or estimation in the eyes of people : weight or credit in general opinion
2 : commanding position in people's minds
synonyms see INFLUENCE
– pres · tige · ful \ -f ə l \ adjective