1
Stage 1 of 3
praestigium
Latin · ancient
"illusion, delusion"
from praestringere, 'to blindfold, dazzle' - a word for a conjuror's trick
2
Stage 2 of 3
prestige
French · 1500s
"deceit, illusion, glamour"
kept the sense of conjuring deception and false glamour
3
Stage 3 of 3
prestige
English · 1650s-1815
"a reputation for excellence or influence"
entered meaning 'trick, illusion'; by the Napoleonic era the sense had flipped positive, tied to a dazzling reputation
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