Literary notes about legerdemain (AI summary)
In literature, "legerdemain" is deployed to evoke both literal and metaphorical notions of deceptive skill and illusion. Authors use it to describe the art of sleight-of-hand in physical magic performances [1, 2] as well as intellectual or rhetorical tricks that disguise true intentions [3, 4]. It appears in narratives where characters manipulate appearances—from conjuring mysterious events or transforming ordinary circumstances into spectacles of wonder [5, 6] to critiquing the cunning maneuvers in politics and social discourse [4, 7]. In each use, the term suggests an underlying craftiness, hinting at the fine line between genuine mastery and calculated artifice [8].
- The jugglers of a lower order especially excelled in tumbling and in tricks of legerdemain (Figs. 169 and 170 ).
— from Manners, Customs, and Dress During the Middle Ages and During the Renaissance Period by P. L. Jacob - LEGERDEMAIN, OR SLEIGHT-OF-HAND, Is an art whereby a person seems to work wonderful, incredible, and almost impossible feats.
— from The Juggler's Oracle; or, The Whole Art of Legerdemain Laid Open Consisting of all the newest and most surprising tricks and experiments with cards, cups and balls, conveyance of money and rings, boxes, fire, strings and knots; with many curious experiments by optical illusion, chymical changes, and magical cards, &c. by H. (Herman) Boaz - Cotton, with characteristic verbal legerdemain, says that Williams was "enlarged" rather than banished.
— from Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 13 - Sir, standing by the grave of this great man, and considering these things, how contemptible does appear the mere legerdemain of politics!
— from Kentucky in American Letters, 1784-1912. Vol. 1 of 2 by John Wilson Townsend - With the speed of legerdemain she brought it into view again and her arm shot out suddenly like a signpost across the white cloth.
— from Dorothy Dixon and the Double Cousin by Dorothy Wayne - Those who were not interested in his feats of legerdemain flocked to hear his superb performances on the piano.
— from Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography by Albert A. (Albert Allis) Hopkins - [391] Sir, standing by the grave of this great man, and considering these things, how contemptible does appear the mere legerdemain of politics!
— from Homes of American Statesmen; With Anecdotical, Personal, and Descriptive Sketches by Various - By what legerdemain was this policy substituted for the Fourteen Points, and how did the President come to accept it?
— from The Economic Consequences of the Peace by John Maynard Keynes
