[pres.tige] n, often attrib [F, fr. MF, conjuror's trick, illusion, fr. L praestigiae, pl., conjuror's tricks, fr. praestringere to graze, blunt, constrict, fr. prae- + stringere to bind tight--more at strain] (1829) 1: standing or estimation in the eyes of people: weight or credit in general opinion
2: commanding position in people's minds syn see influence -- pres.tige.ful adj