sleight

 
Pronunciation: /slʌɪt/

noun

[mass noun] literary
  • the use of dexterity or cunning, especially so as to deceive: except by sleight of logic, the two positions cannot be harmonized

Phrases

sleight of hand

manual dexterity, typically in performing conjuring tricks: a nifty bit of sleight of hand got the ashtray into the correct position
skilful deception: this is financial sleight of hand of the worst sort

Origin:

Middle English sleghth 'cunning, skill', from Old Norse slœgth, from slœgr 'sly'

Spelling help

Remember that sleight is spelled with -ei- after the l; the ending is -ght.