| 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. 1372 in Middle French denoting an [[illusion]] produced by [[magic]], 1688 denoting an [[illusion]] produced by [[natural]] means; now rare), [[attractive]] [[quality]] of people or things which [[inspires]] [[respect]] and [[admiration]] (c1750; compare earlier use denoting the favourable impression made by works of [[literature]] | | 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. 1372 in Middle French denoting an [[illusion]] produced by [[magic]], 1688 denoting an [[illusion]] produced by [[natural]] means; now rare), [[attractive]] [[quality]] of people or things which [[inspires]] [[respect]] and [[admiration]] (c1750; compare earlier use denoting the favourable impression made by works of [[literature]] |