Prestige

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /pɹɛsˈtiːd͡ʒ/

Definitions

1. High status or respect gained through achievements, success, or an impressive reputation
2. A form of admiration or respect that arises from recognized achievements and a distinguished reputation, contributing to a person's or institution's high social regard
3. A level of admiration or respect attained through accomplishments, notable qualities, or a distinguished reputation, often reflecting influence and social standing

Etymology: Prestige once meant something close to trickery. In Latin, "praestigium" referred to a delusion or illusion, and the English borrowing came through French, where "prestige" still carried the sense of enchantment, fascination and illusion. The shift to "high respect" is the surprising part: a word for something that deceives the eye came to describe the kind of standing that others grant a person or institution. The link to conjuring is a false trail. Despite the similar sound, "prestige" has a different root from "prestidigitator" (a conjurer, or sleight-of-hand performer) and "prestidigitation," so the magician's word and the word for reputation are not related. What they share is only the old sense of illusion and dazzle, which "prestige" once kept on its own.

Synonyms: status, reputation, influence, distinction, standing

Antonyms: disgrace, shame, dishonor, unpopularity, inferiority