1. Skillful use of the hands in performing magic tricks; sleight of hand.
2. Deception or trickery, especially involving clever or cunning methods.
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The magician amazed the audience with his legerdemain, making coins disappear and reappear.
• Through financial legerdemain, the company hid its losses from investors.
• The illusionist's legerdemain was so smooth that no one could detect how the trick was done.
• The politician used rhetorical legerdemain to avoid answering the difficult question.
• Card players must master legerdemain to perform impressive tricks.
• The accountant's legerdemain with the numbers raised red flags during the audit.