1. The level of respect at which one is regarded by others; standing. 2. A person's high standing among others; honor or esteem. 3. Widely recognized prominence, distinction, or importance: a position of prestige in diplomatic circles.
ETYMOLOGY:
French, illusion, from Latin praestgiae, tricks, probably alteration of *praestrgiae, from praestringere, to touch, blunt, blind : prae-, pre- + stringere, to draw tight; see streig- in Appendix I.
pr
-st
zh
, -st
giae, tricks, probably alteration of *praestr
