A WORD A DAY.
PRESTIGE. The earliest meaning for prestige was “illusion or delusion” or “conjuring feats” based on the Latin praestigiae,” “deceptions or delusions,” which is made up of prae, “before,” stinguere, “to quench,” thus obscuring or deluding. Fortunately the original meaning has been superseded by one which may be glamorous but not illusive. New thoughts do demand new words and prestige as now used has met a positive want in our language. We consider prestige to be the influence which is gained from past accomplishments. It may be evidenced by charm and forceful character or by authority in recognition of former powers and successes. Preference is given to the accent on the second syllable, pres-tige, and sounding it as pres-tezh’, in which the first e is as in rest, and the second e as'in eve. “He enjoys national prestige.”
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 21647, 8 March 1932, Page 8
Word Count
141A WORD A DAY. Southland Times, Issue 21647, 8 March 1932, Page 8
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